Following the announcement by the Saudi Aviation Authority:
El Al today (Sunday) submitted a formal request to the government in Riyadh to move over its airspace.
Last weekend, Saudi Arabia announced that it would allow Israeli and foreign planes to fly to and from Israel over Saudi Arabia.
Israel was not explicitly mentioned in the Saudi Aviation Authority announcement issued during the night, but it was written that all airlines that meet the body's conditions will be able to pass through the airspace.
Until now, only Air India was allowed to fly to Israel and from Israel via Saudi Arabia, in parallel with the exceptional approval given to Israeli and state airlines to fly over Saudi Arabia on routes to the Emirates.
As mentioned, now everything is changing.
Saudi Crown Prince Ben Salman.
Israel was not mentioned, Photo: IPI
In a conversation with Shlomi with Shalom, El Al's vice president, he explains the Saudis' decision and welcomes it: "This is a dramatic decision that affects us in three circles. The first circle is that we can shorten flight times to existing destinations like India and Thailand. The second circle is that we can fly to new destinations To which we are already considering direct flights, destinations such as Australia, Japan and the Maldives.
"The third circle is the evacuation of aircraft (for other flights; SJ).
That means there will be a significant reduction in flight times.
"For example, to India and Thailand the flight will be shortened by about two and a half hours, which will direct us to more planes, to India we will also be able to operate a Boeing 737, so that we can actually fly to more destinations and operate more flights."
Thailand.
Closer than ever, Photo: Moshe Shai
Falling prices?
The fuel component is a significant part of the airline’s flight expenses.
Following the shortening of flight routes to the east and the evacuation of aircraft, prices are also expected to be reduced, although in addition to the shortening of flight times and evacuation of aircraft, foreign airlines are also expected to join the competition due to the possibility of flying over Saudi Arabia.
This development is also expected to contribute to lower prices on lines to the east.
Oz Berlowitz, CEO of Arkia International, says that “Opening the skies over Saudi Arabia is great news for passengers, it will lead to a variety of flights to new destinations in the East in a shorter time and at more attractive prices.
We are already considering operating direct flights to Thailand and Sri Lanka. "
The Taj Mahal.
Flight to India is expected to be shortened, Photo: Getty Images
Israir also welcomed the announcement.
The company's CEO, Uri Sirkis, told "Israel Today" that "this is a significant announcement. We will examine the possibilities and meanings for us. There is no doubt that the announcement opens up new markets and we are examining all the possibilities."
New flights
How much will the flight times be shortened?
Australia can be reached in about 15 hours, Bangkok in about 8 and a half hours, Singapore in about 11 hours and Mumbai in India in just over five hours.
Today the times are between two and three and a half hours longer.
However, there are currently no direct flights from Israel to Australia, Singapore and other destinations in the East, mainly due to the fact that it was not possible to fly over Saudi Arabia.
According to Shirley Cohen Urakbi, VP of Eshet Tours: "We expect to see a reduction in prices of about $ 300 per person.
Saving a two-hour flight is significant in fuel, manpower and aircraft turns for additional flights.
Competition on the lines to the east will also intensify, and all of these are expected to cause prices to fall.
On the other hand, fuel prices have risen meteorically this year, and there is inflation in ticket prices due to very high demand and low supply.
So the size of the discount depends on the other factors that affect the price. "
Cohen Urakbi explains that "this move has additional effects, of opening new direct routes of Israeli airlines to the east. The foreign airlines from Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam, which have not yet received approval from Saudi Arabia, will also reconsider opening routes to Israel.
"Another effect is the reduction in the pressure of flights from Israel to Europe, which has absorbed all the 'explosion' of demand in the post-Corona era. There will now be a slightly wider spread in terms of demand and aircraft traffic. "To Israel through cargo flights. A huge portion of imports to Israel come from the East, and fewer flight hours reduce transportation costs."
Nir Mazor, VP of Aviation Relations, stated that "when a flight to India and Thailand will be almost the same in time as a flight to London or Portugal - it is clear that many will choose the new routes. It will greatly influence the choice of Israeli vacation destinations. "
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