Israeli Airlines Return to Marrakech, Flight Prices Drop

Direct flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech are set to increase significantly this winter, with El Al subsidiary Sun D'Or announcing new services. This follows a period of disruption for the route, which saw all Israeli flights to Morocco suspended on October 7, 2023. Israir, which resumed flights in September, experienced a brief crisis when it initially failed to secure necessary approvals to continue operating the route. Diplomatic intervention, including from the Israeli embassy in Morocco, ultimately led to the approvals being granted, allowing Israir to continue its service.

Arkia also returned to the route last month, and by mid-November, both Israir and Arkia will be operating, with Sun D'Or joining them shortly after. A review of current prices by lastminute.co.il indicates a decrease in average fares for the first half of November compared to October. Arkia's average fare dropped from $1,214 to $1,011 (about 17%), while Israir's fell from $960 to $852 (about 11%). These prices do not include baggage fees.

Despite the return of direct flights, availability remains limited on certain days. Passengers may need to combine one-way flights from different airlines to find suitable itineraries. Sun D'Or has advertised a launch price starting at $599 round trip, though this is an introductory offer and not an average fare. As Marrakech becomes a more competitive market, prices are expected to stabilize as competition grows, according to Assaf Greenberg, VP Marketing at lastminute.co.il. He advises consumers to consider the final price, including baggage and ticket conditions, not just the initial search result.

In October, estimated baggage fees were around $103 for checked luggage on Israir and $174 on Arkia. Carry-on fees were estimated at $54 and $98 respectively. These figures are approximate and can vary.