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A plane operated by the Israeli airline El Al
PHOTO: ERIC GAILLARD/ REUTERS
Oman's formulation is very vague, Israel is not mentioned: the country's Ottoman airspace will in future be open to all airlines that meet the requirements of the national aviation authority for an overflight, Oman said.
For "all airlines" means in fact: Also for machines from Israel - and that is read as a clear sign of rapprochement.
Thanks to the opening of Oman and previously Saudi airspace, flight times between Israel and destinations in Asia could now be cut by two and a half hours, Israeli media reported.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke of a "historic and important decision for the Israeli economy and for Israeli travelers".
Oman and Israel do not officially have diplomatic relations.
Saudi Arabia also opened its airspace to Israel in July last year.
The kingdom released a similar statement at the time that did not explicitly mention Israel, as does the openly worded statement from Oman.
The US reports months of discreet negotiations
The plans to open Oman's airspace have been in preparation since 2018 and have now been implemented "after considerable effort", said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He spoke of "great news" for Israeli aviation.
The US government welcomed the rapprochement between Oman and Israel, which had been supported by "months of quiet diplomatic engagement," the White House said.
The opening strengthens the vision pursued by US President Joe Biden of "a more integrated, stable and prosperous Middle East region".
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, mediated by the United States.
However, Oman has not yet joined the so-called Abraham Accords itself.
ok/dpa