First direct Israel-UAE flight enters Saudi airspace
ABOARD EL AL FLIGHT TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (AP) — An El Al plane carrying U.S. and Israeli officials on the first commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates has entered Saudi airspace.
That shows at least the acquiescence of the kingdom in allowing Monday's three hour, 20 minute flight after Israel and the UAE began to normalize relations following a U.S.-brokered agreement.
The step signals the possibility the kingdom could regularly allow these flights, which would make them viable commercially. Otherwise, flights would need to take seven hours to detour, burning more jet fuel.
Regular flights would open up more international travel opportunities for Israelis. The UAE is home to long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways.
Despite U.S. efforts, other Gulf Arab nations like Saudi Arabia have yet to move toward open relations with Israel. Saudi King Salman’s government has signaled it stands by Palestinians obtaining an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital amid the UAE move of recognizing Israel.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
BEN-GURION AIRPORT, Israel (AP) — A Star of David-adorned El Al plane took off Monday from Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport, carrying a high-ranking American and Israeli delegation to Abu Dhabi in the first-ever direct commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates.
The Israeli flag carrier’s flight marks the implementation of the historic U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two nations and solidifies the long-clandestine ties between them that have evolved over years of shared enmity toward Iran.
With the U.S. as matchmaker, Israel and the UAE agreed earlier this month to work toward normalization, which would make the UAE the third Arab...