Netanyahu: Oman will open its airspace to Israeli carrier
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Oman will open its airspace to Israel's national airline.
The move appears to have no immediate practical effect because carrier El Al is still barred from flying over Oman's northern neighbor, Saudi Arabia. But it marks another sign of warming ties between Israel and Gulf Arab states, as Israel's behind-the-scenes dealings with its former foes become more public.
Netanyahu told a gathering of Israeli ambassadors that Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said granted El Al permission to pass through its airspace during the Israeli leader's surprise visit to the country in October. The two states have no formal diplomatic relations. Israel only has peace agreements with two Arab states—Egypt and Jordan.
