How overflight rights open new markets for Israeli airlines
It was just a subtle turn to the left, a few degrees east of the usual route. This was no navigational error but rather the aeronautical-geopolitical equivalent of dipping your toes in the water before fully going in.
A few minutes past midnight on Aug. 23, Arkia Flight IZ611 departed Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) bound for Seychelles International Airport (SEZ). The Airbus A321neo, packed with Israeli vacationers, briefly transited over Jordan before entering Saudi airspace.
The flight did not spend much time over Saudi Arabia. After skimming the country’s west coast, it soon veered toward the Red Sea to rejoin the usual path Israeli airliners take when heading to the Indian Ocean and beyond. The small Saudi detour shaved some 20 minutes off the usual flight time; however, the political resonance of this charter flight was much more difficult to quantify.
The significance of Flight IZ611
Flight IZ611's move into Saudi Arabia was monumental. It was the first time that Saudi authorities let an Israeli airliner overfly their territory in order to reach a country other than the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain.
Until very recently, several countries in the Middle East were totally closed to any air traffic to and from Israel. The 2020 Abraham Accords changed most of this, though, by normalizing relations among Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. This move was subsequently followed by a handful of other countries in the Arab world.
While these agreements cover way more than aviation, where diplomats go, airlines tend to follow. A tangible consequence of this new state of affairs has been the establishment of a number of air routes that barely a couple of years ago were firmly in the domain of political fiction.
Related: Saudi Arabia opens airspace to all airlines, including Israeli carriers
Take this coming winter season as an example. Passengers traveling between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and TLV have their pick of options, with El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Flydubai, Arkia and Israir Airlines all offering nonstop flights between the two cities. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi do the same between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
There are no flights to and from Saudi Arabia, but the Saudi kingdom has facilitated all those flights, as well as Gulf Air’s route from TLV to Bahrain International Airport (BAH), by allowing them to overfly its territory.
Likewise, Morocco, a country where hundreds of thousands of Israelis have family roots, has also established diplomatic relations and air links with Israel. El Al, Israir, Arkia and Royal Air Maroc all offer flights from TLV to both Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) and Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).
Related: How to fly from the US to Morocco with points and miles
Sudan has opened its airspace to air traffic to and from Israel, too, enabling a potential new vector of growth for the Israeli air travel industry.
These Morocco and Sudan routes are not so much about improving access to African destinations — a quick check on Flightradar24, for example, showed that El Al continues to use its traditional routing over the Red Sea and Eritrea for its flights to Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Instead, they offer the prospect of new regular nonstop flights between Israel and South America. A special El Al charter flight returning from Argentina already made use of this option in June 2020 shortly after the Sudanese authorities granted overflight rights, though nonstop South American routes have so far failed to materialize.
New routes that may be on the horizon
One of the most momentous airspace openings, which was widely expected to take place this summer, may still have to wait. It seems that Omani authorities haven’t yet decided on whether to allow overflights by Israeli airlines. A simple look at a map shows why the Israeli air travel industry is eagerly awaiting Oman’s decision.
Strategically located between hostile Iran to the north and war-torn Yemen to the south, Oman provides the most convenient point for Israeli airlines to access the Indian Ocean and continue on to India and East Asia. Countries like India and Thailand have long been favorites among Israeli tourists, but reaching these countries from Israel currently requires taking flights that must travel long and circuitous routes.
Related: Thailand to extend visa stays and introduce 'Golden Visa' program
Without Saudi and Omani overflights, a flight between TLV and, for example, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) would typically require flying southward over the Gulf of Aqaba, then over the Red Sea and around the Arabian Peninsula before crossing the Indian Ocean along a rather southerly route.
A routing through Oman would save El Al and other Israeli airlines about 2 1/2 hours of flight time and tons of fuel. Additionally, it would make it possible to deploy narrow-body aircraft on some routes, such as those to Indian destinations, providing an additional degree of operational flexibility to airline planners.
This expanded range of possibilities will also make it easier for Israeli airlines to open up new markets that have been in the cards for quite some time, such as Australia. Back in 2019, El Al even conducted a test with one of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which flew all the way to Melbourne Airport (MEL) from TLV and back. With Saudi and Omani overflight rights, flight times on the Australia route could potentially be cut to as little as 15 1/2 hours.
Related: The best ways to use points and miles to fly from the US to Australia
Only time will tell which other destinations may eventually make the list.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.