OMAN JOINS SAUDI ARABIA IN OPENING ITS AIRSPACE FOR ISRAELI CARRIERS

Fri 24 February 2023:

Oman has officially opened its airspace to all airlines that comply with its rules for civil aviation, including Israeli airlines to fly over it.

Eli Cohen, the foreign minister of Israel, thanked Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said on Thursday for making the choice that will speed up flights to Asia.

According to Cohen, “It’s a historic and significant decision for the Israeli economy and the Israeli traveler.”

“As part of the Sultanate of Oman’s continuous efforts to fulfill its obligations under the Chicago Convention of 1944, the Civil Aviation Authority affirms that the Sultanate’s airspace is open for all carriers that meet the requirements of the Authority for overflyuing [sic],” tweeted Oman’s CAA, not mentioning Israel by name.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message that the development turn Israel into “the central transfer point between Asia and Europe.”

Netanyahu added that work on opening Oman’s skies began with his 2018 visit to Oman.

Israeli airlines were allowed to use Saudi Arabia’s airspace last year, but they were unable to take the route to Asia due to Omani airspace being restricted. The Saudi Arabian decision came after United States President Joe Biden visited the region last year.

Flight from Israel to Asian destinations such as Thailand and India would be shortened by at least two hours.

Oman and Israel do not have diplomatic ties, but the Gulf nation appears to be less hesitant to publicize its ties to Israel. 2018 saw Netanyahu meet with the late Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

One of the first nations to congratulate the UAE and Bahrain on their diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 was Oman.

Oman has long been floated as the next candidate to join the Abraham Accords. But late last year, its lower house of parliament voted to expand its Israel boycott law.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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