(MENAFN) The Israeli carrier El Al has requested permission from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to intervene with the Saudi authorities in order to permit it to use the Kingdom's airspace for its flights to India, according to MEO.
"I am approaching you and kindly requesting IATA to intervene and to represent aviation industry"s interest by advocating equal overfly rights for all carriers over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and opposing any form of discrimination," El Al's newly appointed CEO, Gonen Usishkin wrote in a letter to IATA chairman, Alexandre de Juniac, the Israeli media reported yesterday.
According to El Al, using the Saudi airspace will reduce the journey duration by three to four hours and save money.
Saudi has not allowed flights to Israel to travel through its airspace with officials, including US presidents, having to make pauses in Amman before continuing their journey on to Tel Aviv.
Last year however, US President Donald Trump completed his first trip from the Kingdom directly to Tel Aviv.
The move was seen as confirmation of increased ties between the Gulf and the occupation state.
Saudi Arabia claims that there are no diplomatic ties between the two countries.
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