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Israel's El Al appeals against Air India flights over Saudi

Israel's El Al airline said it appealed on Wednesday (28) to the Supreme Court to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace.

The Indian carrier began using the new route on March 22, reducing flight times between the two cities by more than two hours.


Saudi Arabia had previously banned flights over its territory bound for Israel, a country with which Riyadh has no official diplomatic relations.

Saudi Arabia has so far not allowed Israeli carriers to use its airspace, and El Al says it is the victim of unfair competition.

"The State of Israel does not understand the extent of the damage caused by the government," said El Al CEO Gonen Usishkin.

"Today it is India, tomorrow it will be Thailand and all the east. It is impossible to assess the damage caused by this decision for the company's 6,000 employees."

El Al flights bound for India currently take a detour along the Red Sea to avoid Saudi and Iranian airspace.

The new air link between Tel Aviv and New Delhi was announced in July last year by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, but it was not until January that the pair suggested it might use Saudi airspace.

Transport minister Yisrael Katz described Air India's overflight of Saudi Arabia as "historic".

Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump's administration favour the idea of a convergence of interests against Iran between Israel and Arab countries, starting with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi approval of Air India's new route has been interpreted as a sign of a possible rapprochement with Israel.

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Tarun Garg becomes first Indian to lead Hyundai India

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Tarun Garg becomes first Indian to lead Hyundai India

Highlights

  • Tarun Garg officially assumes charge as Hyundai Motor India's MD and CEO from January 1, marking historic leadership milestone.
  • First Indian national to head the company since its inception 29 years ago, succeeding outgoing chief Unsoo Kim.
  • Leadership transition reflects Hyundai Motor Group's confidence in India's growth story and strategic importance in global automotive landscape.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd announced on Thursday that Tarun Garg has officially assumed charge as its managing director and chief executive officer from January 1, 2026, marking a historic milestone for the automaker.

This is the first time an Indian national is heading Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the Indian arm of South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company, since its inception 29 years ago. Garg succeeds Unsoo Kim, who is returning to a strategic role at Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea.

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