Planes from Israel are allowed to fly over Saudi Arabia again, according to a announcement of the Saudi Aviation Authority. All airlines are welcome again in Saudi airspace, according to the authority. US President Joe Biden will be able to fly from Israel to Jeddah, where his visit to Saudi Arabia will begin on Friday.
“This opening has been talked about for a long time,” Biden said in a statement declaration. “Now it is finally a reality thanks to months of steady negotiations between my cabinet and Saudi Arabia.” The president speaks of an “important moment” that could help Israel further integrate into the region.
Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel as a country. In recent years there have been some exceptions made on the ban on Israeli flights, such as flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates over Saudi Arabia.