All flights to and from the UAE can fly over Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia, all countries, can fly to,  UAE, over kingdom

Dubai - Any direct flight between the two nations would need to use Saudi airspace to be commercially viable.

By AP

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Published: Wed 2 Sep 2020, 4:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 3 Sep 2020, 8:32 AM

Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday, September 2, that flights to and from the United Arab Emirates "from all countries" will now be able to use its airspace - a statement apparently allowing flyovers by Israel following a deal to normalize UAE-Israel relations.
The announcement came just days after the kingdom allowed the first direct Israeli commercial passenger flight to use its airspace to reach the UAE. Any direct flight between the two nations would need to use Saudi airspace to be commercially viable.
The statement makes no mention of the kingdom's rival, Iran, nor Qatar, which Saudi Arabia is currently boycotting. Flights between those countries to the Emirates would, in theory, not need to use the kingdom's airspace.
The official Saudi Press Agency said the move comes in response to a "request by the UAE" for flights to and from the country.
The Saudi announcement comes as Kushner is traveling the Middle East to build on the momentum of the UAE deal and press other Arab countries to establish formal ties with Israel. After leaving Abu Dhabi, he headed to Saudi Arabia, where he discussed "prospects for peace" in the region with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
 


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