Saudi Arabia denies allowing Air India fly over on planned Israel route
Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel and lifting the 70-year-old airspace ban would reflect what appears to be thawing ties between Israel and the kingdom.
By ARAB NEWSUpdated: FEBRUARY 8, 2018 14:07An Air India Airbus A320neo plane takes off in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, December 13, 2017.(photo credit: REUTERS/REGIS DUVIGNAU)
JERUSALEM/NEW DELHI: (TNS) Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority on Wednesday denied granting permission to Indian planes to use the kingdom’s airspace to cross into Israel.A spokesman for the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia said that the Authority did not grant any permission to Air India, Al Arabiya television reported.Air India said on Wednesday it plans to begin direct flights to Israel and has proposed they pass through Saudi airspace, a route so far off-limits to Israel-bound commercial planes.Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel and lifting the 70-year-old airspace ban would reflect what appears to be thawing ties between Israel and the kingdom, both US allies with a shared concern over Iranian influence in the region.An Air India spokesman and Israel’s Airports Authority said the state-run carrier had requested slots for three weekly flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. The Airports Authority said the service would begin in early March.Air India was awaiting clearance from the Indian aviation regulator to fly over Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said.However, Israeli media, in unsourced reports, said Riyadh had granted the necessary flyover rights, which would shorten the flight time from New Delhi by more than two hours.India and Israel have built close ties over the years, largely centered on arms purchases, away from the public eye.But under Narendra Modi, whose nationalist party has long admired Israel for its tough approach to terrorism, ties have flowered across the economy and last year he made a first-ever visit to Israel by an Indian prime minister.And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited India last month, the first such trip in 15 years.
