Tourexpi
The agreement, signed today at a ceremony at
Delta's World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a
strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen
connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth.
"This partnership with Riyadh Air will further
Delta's mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices,
benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. "Most importantly,
Riyadh Air shares Delta's commitment to providing an elevated customer
experience, which is why we're looking forward to building and expanding this
partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work
with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as
they transform the transportation economy in the Kingdom."
"We look forward to enjoying a very warm and
productive relationship with Delta Air Lines, one of the largest and most
successful airlines in the world. Riyadh Air and Delta Air Lines share common
goals and pursue the highest standards in many areas including guest
experience, loyalty, and sustainability, built upon great networks and strong
connectivity," said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.
The agreement envisions a long-term relationship,
subject to regulatory approvals, that includes interline and codeshare
connectivity, as well as a deeper partnership encompassing loyalty, customer
experience, digital transformation and broader aviation services such as
maintenance, repair and overhaul services, ground handling and training. In the
future, the airlines intend to explore an immunized joint venture to further
expand the partnership and allow collaboration on network planning and growth
in the region. Both airlines are committed to driving the best sustainability
practices throughout their operations as they transform the future of travel.
The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi
Arabia and beyond for Delta customers, including future nonstop service on
Delta between the U.S. and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. It
will provide leisure travelers with a new region of the world to explore while
creating new opportunities for business travelers to Riyadh, a G20 capital
city, plus destinations beyond. And it will offer Delta's leading North
American network for Riyadh Air customers, offering convenient access to
hundreds of destinations in the U.S. and beyond with Delta's famous reliability
and elevated service.
The new partnership comes as large-scale, ongoing
investments in the Kingdom are transforming it into a popular and attractive
destination for both leisure and business travelers. Travel is central to the
nation's long-term economic growth plan, with an $800 billion investment
in the tourism sector that includes development of luxury resorts on the Red
Sea, the opening of the Diriyah and al-Ula historical site to visitors, and the
hosting of the 2030 Riyadh Expo.
Riyadh Air, which will begin operations in 2025, is
committed to building a premier carrier for customers traveling to and from
the Middle East, with its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital
of Saudi Arabia. Delta, which will mark its 100th anniversary next
year, is the most-awarded U.S. airline with an industry-leading global network
and an unrivaled reputation for outstanding customer service and operational
excellence.
"It's fitting that Riyadh Air will begin its
journey the same year that Delta launches our second century of flight,"
Bastian said. "We'll have many opportunities to learn from each other and
become better airlines for our mutual customers, our employees, our investors
and our communities as we fly forward together."
Image
Credit: © Delta Air Lines
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