Israel launches direct flights to Morocco

Israeli carriers yesterday launched the first direct commercial flights between the Jewish state and Morocco since the countries normalised diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal last year. 

About 100 passengers were on an Israir flight that departed from Tel Aviv to Marrakesh, airline spokeswoman Tali Leibovitz told AFP, adding that two to three flights per week were planned on the route.

National airline El Al later announced it too had launched its a service to Marrakesh on Sunday, and planned five flights per week there and to Casablanca.