Mumbai: Israel is looking to establish a direct flight route to India, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of business leaders Thursday, boosting hopes for an end to Israeli planes skirting the Saudi peninsula to reach the subcontinent.
Speaking at an economic forum in Mumbai, Netanyahu said the goal is for a “efficient and direct route” to be established between the countries.
Israeli planes currently need to fly around Saudi Arabia to reach India, adding some two hours and thousands of dollars of fuel costs to the flight.
The comments came during Netanyahu’s last full day in India, capping a five-day trip meant to boost trade and highlight the country’s growing ties.
Earlier this week, Yedioth Ahronoth had reported that Air India may begin operating direct flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv that would include a navigation route above Saudi Arabia. Currently, all flights taking off from or heading toward Israel — even those operated by non-Israeli airlines — do not fly over countries with which Jerusalem has no formal diplomatic relations.
However, it has been rumored in recent months that Riyadh may be willing to change its policies to allow Israeli flyovers, as the two countries strengthen clandestine cooperation against their common enemy, Iran.
18/01/18 Joshua Davidovich and Rachel Ahren/Times of Israel
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Speaking at an economic forum in Mumbai, Netanyahu said the goal is for a “efficient and direct route” to be established between the countries.
Israeli planes currently need to fly around Saudi Arabia to reach India, adding some two hours and thousands of dollars of fuel costs to the flight.
The comments came during Netanyahu’s last full day in India, capping a five-day trip meant to boost trade and highlight the country’s growing ties.
Earlier this week, Yedioth Ahronoth had reported that Air India may begin operating direct flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv that would include a navigation route above Saudi Arabia. Currently, all flights taking off from or heading toward Israel — even those operated by non-Israeli airlines — do not fly over countries with which Jerusalem has no formal diplomatic relations.
However, it has been rumored in recent months that Riyadh may be willing to change its policies to allow Israeli flyovers, as the two countries strengthen clandestine cooperation against their common enemy, Iran.
18/01/18 Joshua Davidovich and Rachel Ahren/Times of Israel
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