Saudi Arabia is expected to soon allow unhindered overflights by Israeli airlines in its airspace, as well as direct charter flights from Israel, for Muslims who want to participate in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, a US official told Reuters. The official announcement could be made during US President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week, the source added.
Saudi Arabia has already begun allowing Israeli airlines to use its airspace through a dedicated airstrip on flights to and from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, after the two countries signed the so-called Abraham Accords on normalization of their diplomatic relations with Israel. But Israel has yet to receive permission to fly to and from other Asian countries, such as China and India. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, when asked if Saudi Arabia would approve the use of its airspace by Israeli companies, said it was up to Biden to make such an announcement.
“I am optimistic,” answered Biden, in the joint press conference he gave with the Israeli prime minister.
The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment.
Uri Sirkis, Israir’s chief executive, told radio station 103FM that the opening of Saudi airspace would cut two hours, on average, of air travel to the east. “It will be a new era that will bring Asia closer to Israel,” he added.
Last week Israel’s regional cooperation ministry asked Saudi Arabia to accept direct charter flights from Tel Aviv carrying Muslim pilgrims. The US official said Saudi authorities are expected to grant that request.
Today, Saudi Arabia accepts Muslim pilgrims arriving from Israel to Mecca, but these people must first pass through a third country, which increases the cost of the journey.
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
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