US President Joe Biden released a statement on Friday, welcoming Saudi Arabia's decision to allow Israeli airplanes to cross its airspace. He called the decision "an important step towards building a more integrated and stable Middle East region."
"While this opening has long been discussed, now, thanks to months of steady diplomacy between my administration and Saudi Arabia, it is finally a reality," Biden said.
"Today, I will be the first president of the United States to fly from Israel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia," he said. "As we mark this important moment, Saudi Arabia’s decision can help build momentum toward Israel’s further integration into the region, including with Saudi Arabia."
The president said he will do "all that I can, through direct diplomacy and leader-to-leader engagement, to keep advancing this groundbreaking process."