Israeli carrier Arkia has announced its plans to reinstate direct flights to Marrakech starting from August 24, 2023. This decision comes after a suspension of services to Morocco that followed the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. As the second-largest airline in Israel, Arkia will operate two weekly flights between Israel and Marrakech, with one-way ticket prices beginning at $329. In contrast, El Al, another prominent Israeli airline, has yet to resume its flights to Morocco.
Yoni Waxman, the Vice President of Ophir Tours, expressed optimism regarding the resumption of direct flights, labeling it as "excellent news" and highlighting that demand for travel to this destination is already notably high. Similarly, Shirley Cohen Orkaby, the Vice President of Marketing at Eshet Tours, remarked that the reopening signifies "the renewed confidence of airlines in the market demand from Israel." This sentiment reflects a broader sense of optimism within the travel sector.
The announcement coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration that a ceasefire with Iran had ended following new attacks attributed to the Islamic Republic in the Gulf region. Mark Feldman, CEO of Ziontours Jerusalem, noted that the Israeli authorities' approval of this flight resumption is "rather promising," while also cautioning that a worsening conflict with Iran could lead Arkia to reconsider its flight schedule once more.
Israel and Morocco formalized their diplomatic relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, marking a significant shift after decades of discreet cooperation, particularly in defense and intelligence matters. Approximately one million Israelis have Moroccan roots, and in 2022 alone, around 200,000 Israeli travelers visited Morocco, many of whom sought to reconnect with their familial heritage.
As reported by barlamane.com.
