Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to open its airspace to Israeli airlines.
“This is good news and a first step,” he said.
Lapid added Israel will continue to work in this area with the necessary caution, for the sake of the Israeli economy, the security of Israel and the citizens of Israel.
On Friday, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced the opening of the Kingdom’s airspace for all air carriers that meet the authority’s requirements to cross the airspace.
“Within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s keenness to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention.
Which requires non-discrimination between civil aircraft used in international air navigation, and to complement the efforts aimed at consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a global platform linking the three continents and strengthening international air connectivity, the General Authority of Civil Aviation announces that it has been decided to open the Kingdom’s airspace to all air carriers that meet the authority’s requirements to cross the airspace,” the authority said, in a statement, through its account on Twitter.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to open its airspace to flights heading or coming from Israel.
“Saudi Arabia’s historic decision to open its airspace for all civilian planes, including those flying to and from Israel, is an important step towards building a more integrated and stable Middle East region,” Biden said in a statement.
“While this opening has long been discussed, now, thanks to months of steady diplomacy between my Administration and Saudi Arabia, it is finally a reality,” Biden said in the statement.
“Today, I will be the first president of the United States to fly from Israel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As we mark this important moment, Saudi Arabia’s decision can help build momentum toward Israel’s further integration into the region, including with Saudi Arabia,” Biden said in a statement.
