July 16, 2022
1 min read

Israel hails Saudi decision to open airspace to ‘all carriers’

Israeli airlines had been banned by Saudi Arabia from flying over the kingdom’s airspace, making flights between Israel and Asia longer and costlier.

Israeli officials lauded on Friday Saudi Arabia’s decision to open its airspace to “all carriers,” including those from Israel, as a sign of the budding normalization process between the two countries.

Just ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit on Friday, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation tweeted that the kingdom has decided to open its airspace “to all carriers that meet the authority’s requirements for overflying,” with no specific reference to Israel.

Israeli airlines had been banned by Saudi Arabia from flying over the kingdom’s airspace, making flights between Israel and Asia longer and costlier.

“This is only the first step. We will continue working with the necessary caution, for the sake of Israel’s economy, security and the good of our citizens,” Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement released by his office, voicing his appreciation for the Saudi decision to open airspace.

Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov thanked Saudi Arabia “for advancing a new vision of the Middle East,” tweeting that the decision will lower the price of flights to East Asia.

For Transport Minister Merav Michaeli, the decision also means “a step toward (Israeli) better and stronger relations with the countries of the Middle East … critical to Israel’s security and economy.”

Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Frej described the move as an “exciting dream,” noting Israel’s Muslim citizens will now enjoy “cheaper, direct chartered flights to the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.”

Israel and Saudi Arabia have had no diplomatic relations yet, despite growing informal relations between the two erstwhile foes in recent years. (ANI/Xinhua)

ALSO READ: Biden raised Khashoggi murder with Saudi Crown Prince

Previous Story

Biden raised Khashoggi murder with Saudi Crown Prince

Next Story

Ethnic tensions rise in Pakistan after Sindhi youth murder

Latest from -Top News

Pak Army Chief Targets India Again

This is not the first time that Munir has indulged in loose talk, exhibiting conduct unbecoming an officer….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on

Relief for Students: US Visa Cancellations Paused

More than 1,500 student visas have been cancelled so far…reports Asian Lite News The United States on Friday abruptly paused the cancellation of student visas issued to international students, according to reports.

Yunus Must Be Treated Like Hasina, Warn Islamists

Islamist group made these warnings to the interim government, terming the women’s reform body proposals as “anti-Islamic…reports Asian Lite News The radical Islamist group in Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, has issued a threat, stating

UN: Bring Pahalgam Terrorists to Justice

The members of the Security Council “stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable..reports Asian Lite News The Security Council has “condemned in the strongest terms” the Pahalgam terrorist
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Iraq recovers 17,000 artefacts from US

About 15,000 pieces of cultural relics from the Stone Age,

Indian Americans Win Key Seats In Virginia

Kannan Srinivasan and J.J. Singh secure pivotal victories in Virginia’s