Arkia to resume Tel Aviv–Marrakesh flights

Arkia said on July 8 that it will resume direct flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakesh on August 24, restoring a route that had been suspended for about three years. The Israeli carrier said the service will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. The announcement was circulated in travel trade alerts and then reported by Israeli media on July 8 and July 9. The restart returns a direct Israel-Morocco link that had been halted after the war that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, according to reports citing Arkia’s statement. Arkia said the route’s return followed an extended period of work with aviation and security authorities. (timesofisrael.com) ### When do the flights start, and how often will they run? August 24 is the first scheduled flight date, Arkia said in its statement. The airline said the service will run twice weekly rather than as a one-off seasonal charter. Mondays and Wednesdays are the operating days listed by Arkia. (timesofisrael.com) The carrier said it plans to use Airbus A320 aircraft on the route. ### What exactly did Arkia say about the restart? Arkia said the route was returning after “an extended period of joint efforts with aviation and security authorities,” according to the company statement carried by The Times of Israel. (timesofisrael.com) The airline said the resumption was “significant news for Israeli travelers wishing to return and visit Morocco.” Rennies BCD, a travel management company, also circulated a travel alert on July 8 saying Arkia planned to resume Israel-Morocco service from August 24 after a three-year suspension. That alert matched the timing later reported by Israeli outlets. ### How much are tickets, and what do travelers need before departure? Arkia said one-way fares will start at $329, according to Ynet and JNS reporting on the announcement. (timesofisrael.com) The fare point was part of the initial sales push as tickets opened. Israeli passport holders must obtain a visa before entering Morocco, Ynet reported, citing the travel requirements tied to the route launch. (bcdtravel.com) The outlet said Arkia advised travelers to prepare in advance. ### Why had the route been suspended? July 8 statements from Arkia and subsequent reports linked the suspension to the war period and the broader security situation that followed October 2023. (jns.org) Israeli outlets described the route as having been inactive for roughly three years before this restart. (ynetnews.com) The route had been popular with Israeli travelers before the suspension, Ynet reported. JNS said Morocco had drawn large numbers of Israeli visitors before the halt, including travelers making heritage trips. ### What happens next? August 24 is the next concrete milestone: that is the date Arkia said the first renewed Tel Aviv-Marrakesh flight will depart. (timesofisrael.com) Tickets are already on sale, and the airline has said the service will operate twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays with Airbus A320 aircraft. (ynetnews.com)