Delta Air Lines and Saudi Arabia’s soon-to-launch carrier Riyadh Air have formed a new partnership with the hopes of Delta eventually starting flights to the Middle Eastern country.
The agreement, called a strategic cooperation memorandum of understanding, is the start of what could eventually become codeshare flights and matched loyalty status, according to Delta. The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals.
Riyadh Air plans to start operations in 2025 with its base in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
As part of the agreement, Delta said it envisions launching a future nonstop flight between the U.S. and King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh. It wasn’t immediately clear when that would happen.
Currently, there are no U.S. airlines that fly to Saudi Arabia, according to The Associated Press. The country’s flag carrier, Saudia, flies nonstop between Saudi Arabia and New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
