Saudi Arabia Gives Air India Overflight Rights for Its Israel Routes

Date:

There was no immediate confirmation from either Saudi officials or Air India. Mr. Netanyahu made the announcement during a briefing in Washington to Israeli reporters after he had met U.S. President Donald Trump.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Saudi Arabia had granted Air India permission to fly over its territory on its new routes to and from Tel Aviv.

There was no immediate confirmation from either Saudi officials or Air India. Mr. Netanyahu made the announcement during a briefing in Washington to Israeli reporters after he had met U.S. President Donald Trump.

Saudi Arabia does not recognise Israel and lifting the 70-year-old airspace ban would reflect what appears to be thawing ties between Israel and the kingdom, both U.S. allies with a shared concern over Iranian influence in the region.

Last month, Air India announced the planned thrice-weekly flights to Tel Aviv over Saudi soil, but the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Riyadh said at the time it had not granted such permission to the carrier.

El Al Israel Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, flies four weekly flights to Mumbai. These take seven hours as they fly south toward Ethiopia and then east to India, avoiding Saudi airspace. Israel media have said that Saudi overflight routes could reduce travel time by more than two hours.

theclarionindia
theclarionindiahttps://clarionindia.net
Clarion India - News, Views and Insights about Indian Muslims, Dalits, Minorities, Women and Other Marginalised and Dispossessed Communities.

Share post:

Popular

More like this
Related

Massive Security Arrangements in Place For Muharram Procession in Sambhal

SAMBHAL -- With Muharram processions scheduled across the Sambhal...

‘Bullets Speak Louder Than Law’: Bihar Govt Must Convene Special Session, Says Congress

Under NDA rule, Bihar has transformed from a land...

Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Underway in Bihar Despite Strong Opposition

With the political stakes high in Bihar, the outcome...

We Tried to Revive, Not Sell Associated Journals’ Assets, Congress Clarifies

Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer R.S. Cheema slammed the Enforcement Directorate’s...