Israel’s leadership and Israeli travelers are excited after last night’s announcement by Saudi Arabia that it would open the country’s airspace to all air carriers. Flights departing from Israel will now be able to follow the shortest route to the Far East and no longer need to make a detour on their way to Asia. Flights from Israel to Thailand will now take eight hours instead of 10 and flights from Israel to Mumbai should take five and a half hours instead of seven and a half.

The Saudi decision is also being hailed as a further sign of rapprochement between the two countries.

After the signing of the 2020 Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia enabled the passage of direct Israeli flights from Israel to the countries that signed the agreements. Flights from Israel to the Far East — to India, Thailand and other destinations — were not allowed to pass through the Saudi airspace and forced to take a longer rout that bypassed the Arabian Peninsula.

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Saudi aviation authorities said yesterday the country’s airspace is now open to all carriers that meet its requirements for overflights. The decision, it was noted, will “complement the efforts aimed at consolidating the kingdom’s position as a global hub connecting three continents and to enhance international air connectivity.”

Ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia, several Israeli and American officials said that Washington, Riyadh and Jerusalem were working on the issue, but noted that an agreement might not be reached before Biden’s departure today to Jeddah. Prime Minister Yair Lapid said Thursday that he was optimistic that Riyadh would make the decision. As it happened, the Saudis made the announcement hours before Biden left Israel.