Saudi/Iranian Hostility Halts 150 Flights
Ryan Boyd January 05, 2016
Supporters of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr protest against the execution of Shi'ite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia, during a demonstration in Baghdad January 4, 2016. The poster reads, "Innocent blood on your hands, Al-Saud". REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Roughly 150 direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Iran have been canceled due to a severing of diplomatic relations between the two nations, aviation sources announced Tuesday.
The halting of flights is allegedly in response to Iranian protesters occupying the embassy in Tehran after the state execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric. Tens of thousands of Iranians travel to Saudi Arabia every year as part of the haj and umrah pilgrimages.
Saudi’s General Authority for Civil Aviation tweeted that national carriers will do everything they can not to adversely impact passengers who have already booked flights to the region, but remained unclear on what measures will be implemented, or what policies will be observed.
To read more on this story, go to Business Insider.
[Photo: Reuters]
