Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Saudi Arabia officially allows Israeli airliners to fly over airspace to UAE, Bahrain

Israir is scheduled to conduct the first such flight to Dubai on Dec. 1.

El Al Flight 971 departing from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, on Aug. 31, 2020. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.
El Al Flight 971 departing from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi, on Aug. 31, 2020. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.

Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that Israeli airliners can use its airspace en route to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Until now, Israeli airliners did not have permanent approval for direct flights to traverse Saudi airspace. Reportedly, the change was made following a visit to Saudi Arabia by White House senior officials Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz.

Israir Airlines is scheduled to conduct the first such flight to Dubai on Tuesday.

Monday’s announcement is the result of the U.S.-brokered normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Fifteen people were wounded Sunday when fragments from intercepted Iranian missiles fell across Tel Aviv as rescue crews and police secured impact sites.
“The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin,” the military said.
The initiation of the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran has precipitated a fundamental refocusing of regional priorities. This unprecedented military undertaking has forcefully shifted the geopolitical center of gravity toward the Persian Gulf, rapidly relegating the Gaza Strip to a secondary theater of operations.
“There could have been kids at this kindergarten,” said Rishon Letzion Mayor Raz Kinstlich.
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran.”
“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” added the Israeli premier.