El Al and Sun D'or Cancel Flights to Marrakech Amid Security Concerns
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
El Al and its subsidiary Sun D'or have canceled all flights to Marrakech, Morocco, until at least December 15 due to new Israeli security directives. This follows similar cancellations by Arkia and Israir, leaving no Israeli airline selling direct tickets to Morocco. The move is linked to security concerns after a Flydubai flight incident. Arkia also canceled its direct route to Tokyo over wet lease issues, impacting thousands of passengers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- El Al and Sun D'or canceled flights to Marrakech until at least December 15 due to Israeli security directives.
- Arkia and Israir also halted ticket sales and flights to Marrakech, leaving no Israeli airline selling direct tickets.
- The cancellations are linked to new security guidelines following an incident involving a Flydubai flight.
- Arkia's direct route to Tokyo was also canceled because Japanese authorities rejected a wet lease arrangement.
- Marrakech has been a popular destination for Israelis since the Abraham Accords.
- Thousands of passengers are affected by the cancellations to both Marrakech and Tokyo.
El Al, along with its subsidiary Sun D'or, has joined a wave of flight cancellations to Marrakech, Morocco. Sun D'or announced the postponement of its direct route launch to Marrakech, originally set for November 16, and the cancellation of all flights to the destination until at least December 15. The stated reason for these cancellations is new directives from Israeli security officials.
This move follows similar actions by other Israeli airlines. Arkia had already halted ticket sales to Marrakech and froze expansion plans the previous week. Israir also stopped sales until further notice and is reassessing its route, which has been operating since August. Consequently, no Israeli airline is currently selling direct tickets to Morocco.
The underlying cause for these decisions is reportedly linked to a security incident involving a Flydubai flight, which prompted stricter security guidelines. These new regulations also affect flights operated by Israeli companies using chartered aircraft and crews (wet lease).
El Al emphasized its ongoing communication with security bodies and authorities, awaiting necessary approvals. Passengers whose flights were canceled have been offered options including a full refund, a credit voucher, or rebooking on another El Al or Sun D'or flight to Europe within three days of the original departure, with no change fees or fare differences.
In a separate issue, Arkia also canceled its planned direct route to Tokyo, which was to begin in October. This cancellation occurred because Japanese authorities refused to approve operations using a wet lease arrangement. Thousands of passengers who had purchased tickets are disappointed, and class-action lawsuits have been filed against Arkia, alleging the sale of flights without required permits and late notification of cancellation.
Marrakech has become a popular destination for Israelis, especially after the Abraham Accords, known for its markets, desert landscapes, and historical Jewish community. The resumption of direct flights in the summer of 2026 after a nearly three-year hiatus following October 7, 2023, had signaled a return to normalcy. However, the current situation leaves travel plans uncertain for those who booked flights to Marrakech and Japan.
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