Casablanca – Israeli airline Arkia resumed direct flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech on Wednesday, August 19, ending a three-year suspension of the route.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, the first flight departed Ben Gurion Airport at 10:10 a.m. GMT. Arkia will operate the route twice a week using Airbus A320 aircraft. Morocco’s airport authority also listed an Arkia flight scheduled to arrive at Marrakech-Menara Airport later Wednesday.
Direct and regular flights between Morocco and Israel were first launched in July 2021, several months after Rabat and Tel Aviv re-established relations under the Abraham Accords. Arkia later expanded its operations, including a direct route between Tel Aviv and Essaouira launched in September 2023.
The flights were suspended in October 2023 following the outbreak of the Israeli genocidal war against Gaza.
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Royal Air Maroc suspended its Casablanca-Tel Aviv service on October 7, while El Al and Arkia initially continued operating flights between Tel Aviv and Marrakech. Both Israeli airlines then suspended their Morocco routes on October 23 amid security concerns.
Arkia’s return comes as Morocco continues to publicly reaffirm its support for the Palestinian cause.
King Mohammed VI has repeatedly called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and has described the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe.
Morocco has also sent humanitarian assistance to Gaza since October 2023. In a November 2025 message, the King said Morocco had sent urgent aid on five occasions, including food, water, medicine and medical equipment, with the latest airlift delivering around 300 tons of humanitarian supplies.
The renewed air connection therefore comes alongside Morocco’s continued diplomatic and humanitarian support for Palestinians, as the kingdom maintains relations with Israel while backing a two-state solution.
