ADVERTISEMENT

El Al appeals against Air India flights over Saudi

The Indian carrier began using the new route on March 22, reducing flight times between the two cities by more than two hours.

Saudi Arabia had previously banned flights over its territory bound for Israel, a country with which Riyadh has no official diplomatic relations.

Saudi Arabia has so far not allowed Israeli carriers to use its airspace, and El Al says it is the victim of unfair competition.

"The State of Israel does not understand the extent of the damage caused by the government," said El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Today it is India, tomorrow it will be Thailand and all the east. It is impossible to assess the damage caused by this decision for the company's 6,000 employees."

El Al flights bound for India currently take a detour along the Red Sea to avoid Saudi and Iranian airspace.

The new air link between Tel Aviv and New Delhi was announced in July last year by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, but it was not until January that the pair suggested it might use Saudi airspace.

Transport Minister Yisrael Katz described Air India's overflight of Saudi Arabia as "historic".

Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump's administration favour the idea of a convergence of interests against Iran between Israel and Arab countries, starting with Saudi Arabia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Saudi approval of Air India's new route has been interpreted as a sign of a possible rapprochement with Israel.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Nigerian activist championing disability rights vies for UN committee seat

Nigerian activist championing disability rights vies for UN committee seat

FCTA demolishes 27-year-old shanties, plans relocation for 1,000 occupants

FCTA demolishes 27-year-old shanties, plans relocation for 1,000 occupants

Maths teacher pregnant for underage student while on trial for raping another one

Maths teacher pregnant for underage student while on trial for raping another one

Reps to investigate Binance executive's escape with smuggled passport

Reps to investigate Binance executive's escape with smuggled passport

Cybersecurity Levy: TUC threatens to mobilise Nigerians for total shutdown

Cybersecurity Levy: TUC threatens to mobilise Nigerians for total shutdown

Peter Obi reacts to FG's planned imposition of cybersecurity levy on Nigerians

Peter Obi reacts to FG's planned imposition of cybersecurity levy on Nigerians

FG fires back at Binance CEO's claims of govt officials demanding bribe

FG fires back at Binance CEO's claims of govt officials demanding bribe

New directive will make operators increase charges - PoS agents oppose CAC reg

New directive will make operators increase charges - PoS agents oppose CAC reg

US, France, Germany, and 11 countries Tinubu visited since becoming president

US, France, Germany, and 11 countries Tinubu visited since becoming president

Pulse Sports

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT