Air India says gets Saudi's nod to fly from New Delhi to Tel Aviv over Saudi airspace

Saudi Arabia has given Air India permission to fly between New Delhi and Tel Aviv over Saudi airspace, the airline's spokesman said Wednesday, ending a 70-year ban and marking a diplomatic shift. Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel and lifting the airspace ban would reflect what appears to be thawing ties between Israel and the kingdom. Both are US allies with a shared concern over Iranian influence in the region. India and Israel have built close ties over the years away from the public eye, largely centered on arms purchases. But under Narendra Modi economic ties have flourished. Air India plans to operate flights 3 days a week, and the flight would save 2 hours of travel time as a result of flying over the Saudi airspace, an Air India spokesman said. <br/>