Airlines
Saudi Arabia To Grant UAE Carriers Full Airspace Access
The decision to allow UAE airlines to fly over Saudi territory on their way to any country raises the possibility of flights to Israel.
An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER taxis at Dubai International Airport in preparation for a flight to Kuwait. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by raihans photography)
An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER taxis at Dubai International Airport in preparation for a flight to Kuwait. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by raihans photography)

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has approved the request received from the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority to overfly the kingdom’s territory to all countries, according to the official Saudi Press Agency, citing an “official source” with GACA. The opening of the airspace gives UAE airlines the opportunity to fly scheduled operations to Israel, but it remains unclear whether or not Saudi Arabia will grant the same permission to Israeli airlines.