By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Israel plans more Asia flights after Saudi airspace opens
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Israel plans more Asia flights after Saudi airspace opens

Israel plans more Asia flights after Saudi airspace opens

Josh McMinn
Last updated: 18 July 2022 20:17
By Josh McMinn
3 Min Read
Share
El Al aircraft
El Al launched in September 1948 and owns a total fleet size of 44 aircraft. | © Flickr / Caribb
SHARE

Israeli carriers will expand their route networks after Saudi Arabia opted to allow them full overflight access last week. The airlines are planning new routes to India and other Asian destinations, and there has even been talk of flights to Tokyo and Melbourne. Access to Saudi Airspace reduces journey times and fuel burn for Israeli carriers, expanding their potential range. Israel’s Tourism Ministry believes the change could reduce ticket prices by 20% in the long run.

Saudi Airspace Opened to All Carriers

Last Friday, Saudi Arabia announced they would be opening their airspace to all carriers, including those from Israel. The United States has played a key role in mediating the decision, which was made ahead of President Biden’s visit to the Arab nation last weekend.

El Al Boeing 787 Israeli Carrier
The Biden Administration visited Saudi Arabia Last Weekend | © Shahar Azran / El Al

Israeli Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli said implementation of the new permissions could take several weeks, especially given talks of including Oman in the expanded corridor. Oman granted initial access for Israeli overflights in 2018, but the details will need further discussion. When asked when the change would come into effect, Micheli told Reuters: “your guess is as good as mine. I hope it’s not months, but weeks.”

Implications for Israeli Carriers

The move has significant implications for Israeli carriers, who have wasted no time in applying for Saudi airspace access. Flag carrier El Al and rival Arkia have both applied for overflight permissions, which will cut roughly two-and-a-half hours from flights to India and Thailand.

Israeli carrier Arkia plans to fly to Goa in November using its A321neoLR's | Airbus
Arkia plans to fly to Goa from Israel in November using its A321neoLR’s | © Airbus

This would allow El Al to use smaller planes on its route to Mumbai, said El Al official Shlomi Am Shalom. “We can take a big aeroplane and use it in other places like Australia and Japan,” he said, adding that flights to Melbourne and Tokyo were still in their early planning stages.

Arkia announced plans to fly to Goa, India, in November, with potential flights to Thailand and Sri Lanka also on the table. Until now, Israeli flights to Asia have had to go via the red sea, skirting around Yemen to avoid Saudi airspace.

Are you excited to see more flights to Asia? Let us know in the comments below!

 

You Might Also Like

Aer Lingus and American Airlines Join Forces with New Codeshare
American Airlines to welcome 50 eVTOL aircraft to its fleet
EVA Air Upgrades In-flight WiFi Services this Summer
Greater Bay Airlines reaches two million passengers
Deutsche Aircraft: D328eco will take centre stage at the Washington Aviation Conference
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Josh McMinn
ByJosh McMinn
Follow:
Jr Reporter - Josh is an Jr. Aviation Reporter at Travel Radar covering the latest industry news, developments and passenger experiences. Outside of reporting, Josh is a talented artist and camera operator with experience spanning several industries.
Previous Article ‘Pioneering Spirit’: Embraer and Raizen reshape the future of energy with SAF
Next Article Edinburgh Airport lost baggage abuse Edinburgh Airport closes helpline after misdirected abuse
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Edinburgh Airport © Thomas Nugent
Scotland’s Airspace Set for Major Flight Path Overhaul
Airline Economics Airports Aviation Did You Know Route Development Travel
Representative from Cathay Pacific and Airbus signing the joint investment agreement.
Cathay and Airbus Signs Joint SAF Investment Deal
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
Air New Zealand
IATA Launches the Integrated Sustainability Program
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
United Airlines Aircraft
United Airlines Flight Diverted Due to Cockpit Windshield Crack
Aircraft Aviation Breaking News
Illustration of a passport and approved visa documents symbolising international travel under the US airlines gender marker rule.
US Airlines Gender Marker Rule Takes Effect for International Flights
Airlines Aviation Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up