FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - UAE to open diplomatic ties with Israel, including flights
Old Aug 13, 2020, 10:01 am
  #3  
M60_to_LGA
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,220
Originally Posted by safari ari
LY already has been in trouble even before C-19, this entire shutdown, talk of government bailout etc has absolutely decimated them.

Would love to see direct flights between TLV/ETM - DXB. Not sure how that route would look if they still need to avoid Saudi airspace, unless they have a similar agreement that AI has to be able to flyover.
I'm pretty sure Saudi isn't going to bar Emirates (owned by a close political/military ally) from overflying its territory on the way to Israel.

I'd actually expect Saudi to follow the UAE's lead and normalize relations with Israel itself sometime in the near to medium term. Given their self-proclaimed status as protector of Muslim holy places, they probably don't want to go first, but let's be real - they totally support the UAE's move. MBS is probably working to negotiate some enhanced Saudi role over the Temple Mount, which shouldn't be too hard, and will portray that as a big Israeli concession as part of an overall deal.

Last edited by M60_to_LGA; Aug 13, 2020 at 10:10 am
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