Israir Halts Morocco Expansion Amid Aviation Security Review
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Israir Airlines has suspended its planned expansion of flights to Marrakech, Morocco, and halted ticket sales due to new Israeli aviation security guidelines. The decision was prompted by a recent security incident on a foreign airline's flight to Israel. The suspension affects Israir's plans to increase service to three weekly flights and impacts its fleet strategy. This comes as other Israeli airlines, Arkia and Sun d'Or, were also increasing their offerings on the Marrakech route.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israir Airlines has frozen its planned expansion of flights to Marrakech, Morocco.
- The decision follows new aviation security directives for Israeli carriers.
- Ticket sales for Marrakech flights have been stopped by Israir.
- A recent security incident on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv prompted the review.
- Arkia and Sun d'Or were also increasing their services to Marrakech.
- Israir had planned three weekly flights to Marrakech starting in November.
Israir Airlines has frozen its planned expansion of flights to Marrakech, Morocco, due to revised aviation security directives for Israeli carriers. The airline had intended to increase its service on the Marrakech route to three flights per week in the coming months and was considering leasing an additional aircraft to accommodate the growth. This expansion is now on hold, and ticket sales for Marrakech have been suspended.
The decision follows a security incident on September 30 involving a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, a first officer reportedly attacked the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. The flight crew and passengers subdued the assailant, and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. This event prompted a reassessment of security measures for flights to Israel, particularly those involving foreign crews and aircraft.
Israir's expansion plans, announced in late September, included three weekly flights to Marrakech starting in November, with fares beginning at $360 one-way, operated by Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The suspension also impacts the company's fleet plans, as the need for an additional leased aircraft to support the increased Marrakech service has diminished.
Marrakech had only recently returned to flight schedules, with competition heating up on the route. Arkia resumed direct flights in August after a nearly three-year hiatus, offering two weekly flights starting at $329 one-way. Sun d'Or, part of El Al, had also planned to launch two weekly flights to Marrakech starting November 16, with round-trip fares from $599, positioning Marrakech as a competitive winter destination among Israeli airlines.
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