Israeli airlines see first flights take off for Morocco

The first direct passenger flights from Israel to Morocco took off on Sunday, just six months after both countries signed a deal to deepen diplomatic ties.

More than 100 passengers departed from Tel Aviv to Marrakesh on board an Israir plane, the airline said in a statement.

As many as three flights a week are planned.

An El Al flight took off from Ben Gurion Airport at 11:35 a.m. local time (0835 UTC/GMT).

The airport’s lounges were decorated in traditional Moroccan style for the event.

Israeli Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov said the new direct flights would “help advance fruitful tourism, trade and economic cooperation and diplomatic agreements between the two countries.”