Arkia Cancels Flights to Morocco Due to Security Directives
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Arkia is suspending its flights to Morocco from November due to Israeli security directives requiring specific security coverage. CEO Oz Berlovich stated that passengers will not receive compensation for canceled flights and indicated that political intervention might be needed to resume the service. He also reported that Israelis are not showing a significant rush to return to vote in the upcoming elections, with flights not being full.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Arkia airline will stop flights to Morocco from November due to Israeli security directives.
- CEO Oz Berlovich stated passengers will not be compensated for canceled flights.
- Morocco now requires Israeli security oversight for chartered flights, which is not yet approved.
- Berlovich suggested political intervention is needed to resume the Morocco route.
- Israelis are not rushing back to vote, with flights not being full.
- Around 800,000 Israelis living abroad may not return for election day.
Arkia, an Israeli airline, will cease its flights to Morocco starting in November due to security directives from Israeli security authorities. The company's CEO, Oz Berlovich, explained that the current operational model, which involves a chartered aircraft, will no longer be sustainable under the new guidelines.
Berlovich clarified that while chartered planes typically operate under local security arrangements, Morocco now requires Israeli security oversight for these flights. This change, stemming from a government decision, means that Arkia cannot operate the route until Moroccan authorities approve Israeli security coverage. He noted that Israeli aircraft operating to any destination worldwide are covered by a special Shin Bet division.
Passengers whose flights are canceled due to these security reasons will not be eligible for compensation. Berlovich expressed optimism that the route could continue but emphasized that security considerations are dynamic and beyond the airlines' control. He suggested that political intervention from Israel might be necessary to resolve the issue, potentially to demonstrate the value of Israeli tourists to Morocco.
Regarding travel patterns around the upcoming elections, Berlovich stated that Israelis are not rushing back to vote. He observed that flights are not full, with many pre-organized flights canceled more than a month in advance. He estimated that around 800,000 Israelis living abroad might not return for election day, and he does not foresee packed flights from distant destinations, attributing any potential increase in nearby destinations to seasonality.
