Saudi Arabian Airlines to join Delta's SkyTeam

Saudi Arabian Airlines will join SkyTeam, the global airline alliance including Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, to become SkyTeam's first member in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement to join SkyTeam in 2012, adding 35 new destinations to the alliance network, according to the announcement Monday. The Middle Eastern airline, which is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, is in the midst of a four-year turnaround program.

Delta said the Saudi Arabian Airlines' Riyadh hub and network throughout the Middle East will increase access to destinations in the region.