KSA Gives Air India Rights For Its Israel Routes, Says Netanyahu

Tel Aviv (March 06, 2018): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) granted Air India permission to fly over its territory on its new routes to and from Tel Aviv. There was no immediate confirmation from either Saudi officials or Air India.

Netanyahu made the announcement during a briefing in Washington to Israeli reporters after he had met US President Donald Trump.Saudi Arabia does not recognise 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.Last month, Air India announced the planned thrice-weekly flights to Tel Aviv over Saudi soil, but the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Riyadh said at the time it had not granted such permission to the carrier.