The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia announced that the Kingdom has decided to open its airspace to all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority to cross the air.
The authority said in a statement posted on Twitter that the move comes “within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention, which provides for non-discrimination between civil aircraft used in air navigation.”
The authority added in the statement that this comes “to complement the efforts aimed at consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global platform linking the three continents and to enhance international air connectivity.”
– Civil Aviation Authority (@ksagaca) July 14, 2022
Earlier on Thursday, Archyde.com news agency quoted a US official as saying that Saudi Arabia will soon allow Israeli airlines to fly over its territory without restrictions and will allow direct charter flights from Israel for Muslims during the Hajj season.
The official indicated that this measure is expected to be announced during US President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Biden focuses on Israel’s integration into the Gulf region, especially Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia began allowing Israeli airlines to fly over its territory through a special air corridor for flights to and from the UAE and Bahrain, after signing the Ibrahim Agreements that led to the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and these two countries.
But Israel has not yet obtained such a concession for flights to and from Asia, including China and India.
In response to a question by Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid Thursday at a joint press conference with Biden, whether Saudi Arabia would agree to open the airspace, Lapid said that it was up to Biden to announce it.
Biden replied, “I’m optimistic.” The Saudi government did not respond to requests for comment, according to Archyde.com.
“The time to the east will be shortened by an average of two hours. It will be a new era that will bring Asia closer to Israel,” Israir CEO Uri Serkis told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM about the possible expansion of the air corridor over Saudi Arabia.
Last week, the Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation asked Saudi Arabia to allow direct flights from Tel Aviv for pilgrims.
The US official said Saudi Arabia was expected to agree to the request.