Saudi Arabia's General Civil Aviation Authority said that following a request it is allowing all UAE flights to and from "all countries" to cross its airspace, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday.
The statement comes after senior US and Israeli officials landed in the UAE on Monday on a historic first flight between Israel and the Gulf state. The El Al aircraft flew over Saudi Arabia on its way from Israel, according to flight tracker websites.
The "authority's approval was issued on the request received from the General Authority of Civil Aviation in the United Arab Emirates, which includes the desire to allow the passage of the kingdom's airspace for flights coming to the United Arab Emirates and departing from it to all countries," SPA reported.
A statement on Wam on Wednesday said UAE aviation authorities had "confirmed ... that it had obtained approval from its counterpart in Saudi Arabia, to allow the passage of the Kingdom's airspace for outbound and inbound flights to and from the UAE to all countries of the world".
Earlier this week, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner flew with a high-level Israeli delegation to the UAE on the first direct commercial passenger flight between the two countries.
The visit follows the announcement of the Abraham Accord on August 13, which paves the way for normalising relations between Israel and the UAE on the condition that Israel suspend its annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Mr Kushner described the visit as a "historic breakthrough" and a "big turn for optimism" in the Middle East, in an interview with The National.
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Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, centre right, and the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, centre left, pose for a photo with UAE Air Force's Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani,, and other officials at Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE -
Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE -
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE -
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat greets an Emirati official as he makes his way to board the plane to leave Abu Dhabi. EPA -
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien during a visit to Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. Twitter/ @USAinUAE -
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, left, arrive in the UAE on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien looks on. Victor Besa / The National -
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, centre, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, on the tarmac after disembarking from the El Al flight. Victor Besa / The National -
Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat delivers a speech upon his arrival. AFP -
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien delivers a speech upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, right, delivers a speech as Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and White House adviser Jared Kushner look on. Victor Besa / The National -
US-Israeli delegation led by White House adviser Jared Kushner arrive in Abu Dhabi on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat disembark a plane after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters -
US and Israeli flags at Abu Dhabi airport. Victor Besa / The National -
A UAE official waits for Israeli and US delegates to disembark the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters -
Senior White House adviserJared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien speak to the media in an El Al airplane. AFP -
Reporters, Israeli and US delegates travelling on an Israeli El Al airliner prepare to disembark on arrival in Abu Dhabi. AP -
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner are seated during Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. EPA -
An official greeting message is seen on the Israeli carrier El Al airliner carrying Israeli and US delegates during their flight to Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National -
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National -
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner approaches to land in Abu Dhabi. Reuters -
A view of the scenery through the window of Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, as it is approaching for landing at the airport of Abu Dhabi. EPA -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, left, Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, right, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, board the El Al flight to Abu Dhabi. EPA -
The US-Israel delegation board the plane. EPA -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien pose with members of the US-Israel delegation before boarding the El Al's flight. AP -
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, looks on as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks before boarding the El Al's flight. AP -
The Arabic, English and Hebrew word for 'Peace' is seen on the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner which carried Israel-US delegations to meet Emirati leadership in Abu Dhabi. AP -
A seat covering says 'Making History' in Arabic, English and Hebrew. Reuters -
A flight crew member stands in front of the El Al jet. AP -
Flight crew hold a meeting before the historic flight. Reuters -
A pilot goes through pre-flight checks. Reuters -
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters -
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters
