New Delhi,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious diplomatic outreach towards Israel is all set to get wings with the groundwork having been completed for the national carrier Air India to start a direct flight between New Delhi and Tel Aviv from March 20.

While reports emerging from Tel Aviv yesterday said Saudi Arabia has allowed Air India to use its airspace for flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv, sources in Air India today said the airline would start thrice-a-week flight to the Israeli city from March 20. The flight would be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Reports suggested that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia, may have pushed for seeking permission for Air India to fly over the Arab nation. However, there was no confirmation.

Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has said the agency had not granted permission to Air India to fly to Israel overflying its air space which would not only help reduce the travel time between New Delhi and Tel Aviv but also save on the cost of flying.

Air India will get a one-time grant of €750,000 from Israel for launching direct flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv.

“It is a one-time grant for an airline opening a new direct route into Tel Aviv from a destination that has potential for incoming tourism,” Lydia Weitzman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism had said.

Many Arab and Islamic nations don’t recognise Israel and, therefore, don’t allow airlines to use their airspace for flight services to that country.

An approval from Saudi Arabia to use its airspace will allow Air India to take a shorter route by flying over Ahmedabad, Muscat, Saudi Arabia and then land at Tel Aviv. This route will allow shorter flight duration between the two cities by two and a half hours and save fuel costs.