The repercussions of the security incident aboard a Flydubai flight continue to disrupt the Israeli aviation industry: Israeli carrier Israir announced Tuesday that it has decided to freeze its expansion plans for its route to Marrakesh, Morocco, while halting all ticket sales to the destination under newly issued security protocols.
1+According to the airline’s official statement, it has been preparing in recent months to expand flight operations on the Marrakesh route, planning to operate three weekly frequencies in the coming months. As part of its preparations to scale up flight frequencies, the company had been actively negotiating to lease an additional aircraft to support the increased operational capacity.
However, in the wake of the Flydubai security incident and subsequent security directives from intelligence authorities, Israir decided to freeze the initiative at this stage, including terminating negotiations for the leased aircraft.
1+Israir clarified that it is awaiting definitive security instructions from authorized state agencies and that it has halted all ticket sales to Marrakesh until the operational picture becomes clear. At this juncture, the carrier has not specified when ticket sales might resume, or whether and when the route expansion plan will be implemented. In its public statement, Israir reiterated that it will continue operating strictly in compliance with directives from national security authorities, placing the highest priority on the safety and security of passengers and flight crews.
Previously, senior aviation industry executives warned of growing uncertainty surrounding the continuation of commercial flights to Morocco, following what they described as a newly identified threat profile detected by the Shin Bet (ISA) within the country. That assessment arrived barely two months after direct flights to Morocco were reinstated, making Israir’s latest operational development significant in this unfolding situation.