Morocco to launch direct flights to Israel in December

RABAT, Morocco

Morocco is set to launch direct flights to Israel starting Dec. 12, according to its state-owned airline Tuesday.

Royal Air Maroc said it will organize five flights per week between Casablanca and Tel Aviv with an estimated time of five and a half hours per flight.

“The outbound flights from Casablanca to Tel Aviv will be organized on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while the coming flights from Tel Aviv will be organized every Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” said the statement.

Economy class tickets will be sold at prices starting from 3,400 dirhams ($350) for a round-trip flight.

Royal Airlines signed a cooperation protocol with Israeli company, El Al, on Oct.11, 2018, and announced its intention to provide air transport services through Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca and Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

Israel opened a representative office in Rabat last August.

Morocco became the fourth Arab country to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan.

The deals have drawn widespread condemnations from Palestinians, who say the accords ignore their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.

Israel and Morocco announced the resumption of diplomatic relations on Dec. 10 after they were suspended in 2002 following the second Palestinian intifada uprising.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara