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New deal gives Saudi Arabia "unrestricted" access to U.S. airspace

New deal gives Saudi Arabia "unrestricted" access to U.S. airspace

A new deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia is set to give "unrestricted" access by each country to the others' airspace.

The new open skies agreement, which America maintains with around 100 other countries, allows for Saudi airlines to fly to any destination in the United States, and vice versa.

The U.S. State Department website says:

“The United States-Saudi Arabia Open Skies agreement will, following a transition period, permit unrestricted air service by the airlines of both countries between and beyond the other’s territory, eliminating restrictions on how often the carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they use and the prices they charge. This agreement will allow for the strengthening and expansion of our strong trade and tourism links with Saudi Arabia, benefitting U.S. and Saudi Arabian businesses and travelers by expanding opportunities for air services and encouraging vigorous price competition by airlines, while preserving our commitments to aviation safety and security. …”

U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James B. Smith and Dr. Faisal bin Hamad Al-Sugair, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Director of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, signed the deal on May 28.

The agreement is expected to be fully implemented in three years.

So Saudi will open up for tourists and allow people to visit freely without restriction or is it just the US doing that ?

"Unrestricted access to airspace" is a misleading headline.

An Open Skies agreement means that Saudi carriers can operate scheduled service from Saudi Arabia to any US airport, and US carriers can operate scheduled service from the USA to any Saudi airport. There may be small print allowing for intermediate stops or "beyond" rights, but basically that's all it is - a liberal bilateral air services agreement. This agreement itself has nothing to do with either the US or the Saudi visa regime, with ease of access, propensity to sever limbs, etc.