developing· Security· Updated 11:37

Israeli Airline Arkia Suspends Marrakech Flights on Security Advice

Israeli airline Arkia announced on Wednesday that it has suspended ticket sales for its flights to Marrakech, Morocco, following a directive from Israeli security officials. The suspension, which is in effect until further notice, comes amid new security requirements that prevent the route from operating in its current format. The airline is in contact with security bodies to assess the route's future and the implications for passengers who have already purchased tickets.

12 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 10:31

Plus

Israeli Airline Arkia Suspends Marrakech Flights on Security Advice — Illustration by baba

Photos · 2

Photos the newsrooms posted about this story, and the ones the IDF and Magen David Adom released.

Official photos are free. 2 more with Plus.

What happened

01Arkia suspended ticket sales to Marrakech, Morocco, following a directive from Israeli security officials.
02Israir also halted ticket sales to Marrakech eight days prior to Arkia's announcement due to similar security concerns.
03Arkia is exploring alternative operational methods, including using commercial partners or foreign carriers, to maintain the route.
04According to Arutz Sheva, the security review follows an attempted terror incident on a Flydubai flight on September 30.
05Israeli airlines are also currently not operating flights to Dubai due to a lack of security approvals.
06The suspension affects a highly popular destination, with annual Israeli tourist numbers to Morocco reaching approximately 100,000.
07Arkia had launched its direct route to Marrakech only two months before the suspension was announced.

Arkia is exploring alternative solutions to maintain service to Morocco, including operating flights through commercial partners or foreign carriers if Israeli companies are officially prohibited from flying the route. The suspension follows a similar move by Israir, which halted its ticket sales to Marrakech eight days prior and canceled some planned flights to Morocco. According to Arutz Sheva, the security review was prompted by an incident on September 30 where a co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash a Flydubai plane en route to Israel, leading security agencies to reassess international flight protocols.

In addition to the Morocco route, Israeli airlines are currently not operating flights to Dubai due to a lack of necessary security approvals. The flight disruptions to Morocco impact a highly popular destination for Israelis, with annual tourist numbers to the country having grown to approximately 100,000. Arkia had launched its Marrakech route only two months prior to the suspension.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 10 newsrooms. Updated 11:47