Saudi airline denies landing plane in Israel for first time in nation's history

Saudi Arabia has denied allegations that one of its flagship aircraft landed in Israel, after airport workers reported spotting a Saudi plane at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport late on Tuesday night.

The plane, an Airbus 330, touched down at Israel’s primary international airport in a historic first.

Saudi Arabia does not officially recognise the state of Israel, and says it has no diplomatic relations with it.

Pictures of the passenger plane, emblazoned with the logo of the partly state-owned Saudia Airlines and purportedly taken at Ben Gurion airport, circulated on social media on Wednesday.

Translation: A new Middle East? A Saudi plane landed at Ben Gurion airport due to a medical problem with one of the passengers

In statements posted to its official Twitter account, Saudia said there was “no truth” to allegations that one of its planes had landed at Ben Gurion.

“We are investigating whether one of the companies that holds a rental contract with Saudia has violated agreements. Contracts for leased planes prevent them from landing or passing through countries that do not have relations with the [Saudi] kingdom.”

A spokesperson for Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which has its headquarters at the airport, later confirmed the plane’s arrival, telling Israeli daily Jerusalem Post that it had landed for “ongoing and routine maintenance”.

According to an IAI statement, the plane is owned by a European company, which leases the aircraft to Saudia.

After touching down following a flight from Brussels to Tel Aviv, maintenance is to be carried out by Bedek, an Israeli company contracted by IAI.

Though none of the Gulf states recognise Israel or are permitted to use its airspace, MEE has documented a secret flight linking Abu Dhabi in the UAE with Tel Aviv.

A private jet flies between the cities up to twice a week, though its arrival in the UAE is not listed on Abu Dhabi International Airport’s website.