Cairo: Egypt reopened its airspace to Qatari flights on Tuesday and will permit the resumption of flights between the two countries, aviation sources and state media said. The decision follows steps by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt to restore bind with Qatar after the Gulf leaders signed the Al-Ula agreement last week.

The lifting of Egypt's aviation ban allowed Qatari flights to cross Egyptian airspace and national carriers from both countries to submit flight operating schedules for approval, Al-Ahram state newspaper reported.

Alex Macheras, the Aviation Analyst, also tweeted that “Egypt officially updates its NOTAMs to remove its airspace ban on Qatar, which lasted 3.5 years, following Saudi Arabia,  UAE & Bahrain, and marking the end of the entire air blockade.” Agreements set to be activated will also permit for goods transport between the two countries, according to sources from the civil aviation authority and aviation ministry.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain have all announced the reopening of their airspace to Qatar. Qatar Airways and Saudis have already commenced flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia with the first flights touching down yesterday.

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