El Al passengers will transfer to Morocco's national carrier in Western Europe.
Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc, plans to resume in activities in Israel in full. Royal Air Maroc slashed its Israeli operations following the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation in September 2000, and the subsequent chill in Israeli-Moroccan relations. The thaw is now anticipated, in part thanks to Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom's recent visit to Morocco, where he met King Mohammed VI.
Open Sky is Royal Air Maroc's official representative and travel agent in Israel. Open Sky CEO Efraim Fortis told "Globes" that following conversations with Royal Air Maroc executives, he had a positive impression on the chances of restorating full activities in the Israeli market. Royal Air Maroc offers flights to Morocco in cooperation with El Al (TASE:ELAL). El Al passengers transfer to Morocco's national carrier in Western Europe, mainly France.
Fortis said, "I'm planning a working visit to Morocco soon. It's important to note that we currently offer travelers, albeit only a few, flights to Morocco. Thousands of people traveled to Morocco during the peak period. Royal Air Maroc also had three direct weekly flights between Gaza and Morocco.
The National Security Council Bureau of Counter-Terrorism has not yet lifted its alert against Israelis from visiting Morocco for security reasons.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 7, 2003