Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace to “all air carriers”, signalling the end of its longstanding ban on Israeli flights over its territory – a key step toward normalisation between the two nations.
In a statement posted to Twitter hours before President Joe Biden is set to become the first US leader to fly directly from Israel to the kingdom, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said it was announcing “the decision to open the Kingdom’s airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the Authority for overflying”.
The announcement is an incremental step toward the normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has allowed flights between Israel and Gulf states to cross through its airspace.
“This decision paves the way for a more integrated, stable, and secure Middle East region, which is vital for the security and prosperity of the United States and the American people, and for the security and prosperity of Israel,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
