Oman opens airspace to Israeli airline corridor

Agencies | Muscat                                         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) yesterday announced that its airspace will be open to all civilian carriers, including Israeli airlines.

The CAA stated on Twitter that the sultanate’s airspace is open to all carriers that meet the requirements for overflying, and this decision would enforce international and local requirements against discrimination in dealing with civilian aircraft.

The Israeli Foreign Minister expressed gratitude towards Oman’s ruler and said that this historic decision would benefit Israeli airlines, lowering costs and making them more competitive.

The Saudi-Omani corridor would expand flights to other destinations, shortening flight routes by more than two hours to some Asian destinations, according to Israel’s foreign ministry. Later in a statement, Israel’s foreign minister thanked Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said for opening Oman’s airspace to all carriers, including Israeli airlines, which will now be able to offer shorter routes to Asia.

“It’s a historic and significant decision for the Israeli economy and the Israeli traveller,” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.