Israeli Airline El Al Launches First Direct Flight to Morocco After Diplomatic Breakthrough

A Boeing 737-900ER of the Israeli company took off this December 22, 2020 from its base in Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion around 9:30 a.m. to land six hours later at Rabat-Salé airport, reports Flightradar24.

This new route follows the announcement of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. A few hours after this announcement, El Al had stated that it would begin operational preparations for the operation of direct flights to Casablanca, subject to obtaining all the necessary approvals from the various authorities.

Other Israeli companies could follow suit. EIsrair plans to launch "within a few months" up to 20 weekly rotations between Israel and Morocco. "If all parties are serious, it will be possible to open direct lines within three months," its CEO Uri Sirkis told the Jerusalem Post. Arkia Airlines is also considering operating daily flights to the destination.

There are 50,000 Israelis visiting Morocco each year. With the rapprochement between the two countries, this traffic could easily triple as early as 2021, the Israir leader is convinced.