Solar Impulse gets green light to enter Saudi airspace

RIYADH – The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted permission to the solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) to use Saudi airspace on a flight from Cairo to its final destination of Abu Dhabi. The iconic plane is expected to take two days to reach Abu Dhabi after takeoff from Cairo on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Si2 is attempting to become the first aircraft in the world to circumnavigate the globe without using a drop of fossil fuel after starting its record-breaking journey in March last year. Capt. Abdul Hakeem Al-Badr, assistant president of GACA for security and safety, said the authority decided to grant special permission for the aircraft to fly over Saudi territory in line with GACA’s goal of supporting innovative initiatives in the aviation sector. The plane will cross into the Saudi airspace above the western coastal city of Al-Wajh and fly over Al-Qassim and the Eastern Province to enter the Emirati airspace. The plane, which touched down at Cairo International Airport on Wednesday, is expected reach Abu Dhabi on Sunday, if weather conditions permit. The zero-fuel aircraft, with wings wider than that of a Boeing 747, is powered by 17,000 solar cells and uses stored energy at night. The ideal flight speed is 45.06 kph, which can double during the day when sun’s rays are the strongest. The project, which is estimated to cost more than $100 million, began in 2002 to highlight the importance of renewable energy and the spirit of innovation.