Abu Dhabi, Aug 31 (AP) A Star of David-adorned El Al plane has landed in Abu Dhabi after flying in from Israel, carrying a high-ranking American and Israeli delegation in the first-ever direct commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates.

The Israeli flag carrier's flight Monday marks the implementation of the historic U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two nations and solidifies long-clandestine ties that have evolved over years of shared enmity toward Iran.

Also Read | Singapore: Indian-Origin Pritam Singh Formally Takes Charge As First Leader of Opposition.

With the U.S. as matchmaker, Israel and the UAE agreed earlier this month to work toward normalization, which would make the UAE the third Arab nation to have full relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.

Monday's three hour, 20 minute flight saw the El Al plane fly through Saudi airspace and over the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.

Also Read | Indian-Origin Pritam Singh Formally Takes Charge as First Leader of the Opposition in Singapore.

That signals the possibility the kingdom could regularly allow these flights, which would make them viable commercially. Otherwise, flights would need to take seven hours to detour, burning more jet fuel. (AP) RS

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)