Israeli media sources revealed that five international airlines have submitted requests to the Saudi authorities to open Saudi airspace for their flights to Tel Aviv.

According to The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan Network, these companies did not conduct flights mainly to Tel Aviv, but this could change in the wake of the historic decision taken by Saudi Arabia to allow Air India to fly to Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace.

The network pointed out that these companies are from Hong Kong, Philippines, and Singapore, in addition to an Indian airline.

The Israeli airline El Al has also submitted a request to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to allow its planes to fly over Saudi airspace. The airline called the organization to intervene, claiming that it was subject to unfair and discriminatory treatment because of to the decision, which has been issued in favour of the Indian company.

IATA officials stated that there is little chance that Saudi Arabia would approve of the Israeli company’s request.

Three weeks ago, Air India first direct flights took off from Tel Aviv to the Indian capital of New Delhi through Saudi airspace.

The Saudi authorities have previously allowed Air India to use its air space during its flights from Tel Aviv to New Delhi, which will reduce the flight time by about two hours.

Source: Quds Press International News Agency
Translated by: Middle East Monitor
In collaboration with the Palestinian Media Forum