Question: Recently, which one of the following countries has recently allowed to use its airspace for flights to India from Israel?
(a) United Arab Emirates
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Qatar
(d) Kuwait
Answer: (b)
Related Facts:
- On March 22nd, 2018, Air India’s maiden flight to Israel has landed in Tel Aviv, reducing the travel time substantially after Saudi Arabia for the first time allowed a commercial flight to use its airspace.
- Air India flight number Ai 139 arrived at Ben Gurion Airport of Tel Aviv about half an hour late from the scheduled time.
- Air India took flight from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan during this visit.
- Before this, Saudi Arabia and Oman had no diplomatic relations with Israel.
- After three years of opening of its airspace for Saudi Arabia flights to Israel, it will operate three flights a week.
- Important that the Israeli government aviation company currently operates the Indian service for Mumbai.
- This service operates from the top of the Red Sea to avoid flying over Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Reference:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-makes-history-flies-to-israel-over-saudi-arabia/water-cannon-salute/slideshow/63428801.cms
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-israel-fetes-air-india-flight-over-saudi-airspace-el-al-cries-foul/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-world-first-air-india-crosses-saudi-airspace-to-israel/
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/historic-moment-air-india-flight-crosses-saudi-airspace-to-israel-for-the-first-time/story-iFFiHWbUThrwxWsvTFNDWN.html
http://abpnews.abplive.in/india-news/air-indias-flight-makes-history-by-flying-to-israel-through-the-air-spave-of-saudi-arabia-815682