(JNS) Saudi Arabia announced this week that Israeli airliners can use its airspace en route to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Until now, Israeli airliners did not have permanent approval for direct flights to traverse Saudi airspace. Reportedly, the change was made following a visit to Saudi Arabia by White House senior officials Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz.

Israir Airlines was scheduled to conduct the first such flight to Dubai the following day.