A Saudi Arabian passenger plane, an Airbus A330-300, with no passengers on board, arrived from Brussels to Tel Aviv for routine maintenance work with the Bedek Aviation Company, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), officials said.

The aircraft is owned by a European company and leased to Saudia — Saudi Arabia’s government-owned national airline. Saudia – also called Saudi Arabian Airlines – is the national airline of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabian Airlines, denied reports that one of its aircrafts landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Saudi Arabia does not officially recognize Israel, and there are no direct or indirect flights between the two countries.

Normally, the landing in Israel of a plane bearing a Saudi logo would be unthinkable as the two countries have no officials relations; however it is understood the aircraft had no Saudi nationals on board.

The European client that works with Bedek Aviation Company for plane maintenance happens to lease its jets to various corporations, including Saudia, they explained. The Airbus A330-300 plane landed in Israel for routine upkeep by Bedek Aviation Company.

Bedek is the senior group of Israel Aerospace Industries, a multinational company serving customers around the globe. Bedek provides under one roof the best-value, comprehensive maintenance services for aircraft, engines and components, including heavy maintenance, modifications, upgrades, conversions and development programs, all at minimum down time.