JERUSALEM, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Israel's flag carrier El Al has submitted an official request to fly through Saudi Arabia's airspace, Israeli media reported Sunday.
The request was filed to the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia, a senior official at the airline confirmed to Xinhua.
The requested flight, which connects Israel and Thailand and currently takes about 11 hours one way, is expected to be shortened by up to two hours once rerouted.
Saudi Arabia on Friday decided to open its airspace to all carriers that meet the authority's requirements for overflying.
Israeli airlines had been banned by Saudi Arabia from flying over the kingdom's airspace, making flights between Israel and Asia longer and costlier. ■
