Morocco-Israel Air Routes Flourish as Direct Flights Boost Tourism and Trade

Reassuring load factors with the possibility of reaching the break-even point earlier than expected, probable sustainability of the Casablanca-Tel Aviv or Marrakech-Tel Aviv flights... Air traffic between Morocco and Israel has started a steady growth to the satisfaction of Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and the Israeli airlines Arkia, El Al and Israir. The first link (Casablanca-Tel Aviv) between Morocco and Israel launched on March 13 is booming. "Estimated at 800,000 people, part of the Sephardic community, the majority of whom had never visited the country of their childhood or ancestors, are increasingly choosing this destination. To this potential should be added a share of the millions of Ashkenazi Israelis, very solicited by travel agents for their globetrotter label, who will finally be able to do tourism in Morocco," says an operator to Médias24.

He is convinced that with the new lines opened, the number of 50,000 Israeli tourists who visited Morocco before the Covid-19 crisis will be quickly exceeded to reach 200,000 visitors from 2023, then 500,000 in the medium term. This will undoubtedly involve the growing opening of air frequencies. And, Royal Air Maroc is already part of this dynamic. The national airline "which has gone from three to five weekly frequencies for its Casablanca-Tel Aviv flight, could soon increase the frequency to a daily flight thanks to the current traffic composed of 95% tourists and 5% business travelers". As for the Israeli companies, they have maintained their pace with five weekly flights to Marrakech for Arkia, four weekly services to Marrakech for El Al, and finally two for Israir.

"The increase in the number of weekly frequencies of the Moroccan and Israeli companies shows that these new routes are very popular, otherwise it is obvious that the four carriers would prefer to use their planes to other more profitable destinations," says the operator. According to him, it is likely that the number of flights between the two countries will increase. He also notes that the explosion in the price of kerosene has increased the price of tickets by nearly 30%, but this is not impacting the current increase in the number of passengers in both directions. The desire to travel is still resisting.