Saudi Arabia to Allow Airspace Passage for Flights Operating Between Israel and UAE

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Saudi Arabian government announced on the 2nd (local time) that it has agreed to the UAE's request to allow all flights between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to pass through its airspace.

Until now, Saudi Arabia did not recognize Israel as a country and prohibited civilian aircraft departing from or heading to airports in Israel from passing through its airspace. However, after Israel and the UAE agreed on a peace agreement to normalize relations on the 13th of last month, an Israeli aircraft carrying a government delegation passed through Saudi airspace and arrived in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the first time on the 31st of the same month.

With Saudi Arabia agreeing to allow airspace passage, regular direct flight routes between Israel and the UAE, whose official diplomatic relations are imminent, are expected to be established soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Another tremendous breakthrough will emerge," adding, "Israeli planes will be able to fly directly to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE."