From Gulf Business

Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that the Sultanate’s airspace will be open for all civilian carriers, a move that will also shorten Israeli airlines’ flight time to destinations in Asia after Saudi Arabia took a similar move last year.

“Enforcing international and local requirements against discrimination in dealing with civilian aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority confirms that the sultanate’s airspace is open to all carriers that meet the requirements of overflying,” the CAA said in a statement on its Twitter page on Thursday.

The opening of Oman’s airspace comes after months of diplomatic efforts between the US, Oman and Israel. However, Oman and Saudi Arabia currently do not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Saudi Arabia opened up its airspace to all airlines in July 2022 and Oman’s historic decision is expected to shorten flights to some Asian destinations by more than two hours while opening up the possibility of Israeli carriers including El Al Israel Airlines (El Al), Israir and Arkia to expand deeper into the Southeast Asia market.

 

Well, obviously Saudi Arabia opening up its airspace means a huge time/distance difference for El Al. But If Oman didn't open its airspace, couldn't El Al just fly over the UAE, or does the UAE have its airspace closed as well?

From what I've read, UAE only requires carrier to file a flight plan to gain overflight permission.

Looking at a map, the advantage that overflying Oman is that it provides the most direct route to Bangkok and other SE Asian destinations.

I'd think El Al would not be inclined to overfly Iran or Yemen.