Saudi Arabia lifts curbs on all carriers flying over its territory, paving way for Israeli planes to enter the country, a historic decision that comes as Tel Aviv reportedly lifts its objections to Egypt handing two Red Sea islands to Riyadh
Riyadh says airspace is open to"all air carriers," ending ban on Israeli flights overflying the Arab country — a decision that comes after Israeli officials said Tel Aviv has no objections to Egypt handing over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
In a statement on Friday posted to Twitter hours before Biden is set to become the first US leader to fly directly from Israel to the kingdom, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said it was announcing "the decision to open the Kingdom's airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the Authority for overflying."
"President Biden welcomes and commends the historic decision by the leadership of Saudi Arabia to open Saudi airspace to all civilian carriers without discrimination, a decision that includes flights to and from Israel," that statement said. Under the terms of Israel's 1979 peace agreement with Egypt, however, Tel Aviv must sign off on the intended handover.
Israel hopes Biden's Middle East tour will hail the start of diplomatic ties between it and Saudi Arabia.
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