New Direct Route Enhances Connectivity Between Italy and Morocco
The inaugural direct flight connecting **Verona to Casablanca** has officially commenced, marking the establishment of a new route serviced with **three weekly flights**. This agreement between **Catullo Airport** and **Royal Air Maroc** aims to strengthen the airline's presence in the Italian market, which is the second most significant in Europe for the carrier. This development also solidifies the role of the North-East region of Italy within the airline's international growth strategy. Royal Air Maroc, founded in 1957, has maintained a presence in Italy for over five decades.
With the introduction of this new connection from Verona, the number of Italian airports served by the airline has now increased to **eight**, which includes **Naples**, **Catania**, **Rome**, **Milan**, **Bologna**, **Turin**, **Venice**, and **Verona**. According to **Walid El Khassal**, the regional director of Royal Air Maroc in Italy, "The new **Verona-Casablanca** route allows us to be even closer to our passengers in the **North-East of Italy**, an area known for its dynamism and international orientation, as well as a growing demand for connections to Morocco and beyond. This new route simplifies and expedites travel from Verona to Casablanca, providing passengers with continuous access to the major destinations served by our international network. Casablanca has evolved into a modern, efficient, and reliable hub from which travelers can safely journey to destinations across **Africa**, the **Americas**, the **Middle East**, and beyond."
Boosting Tourism and Business Opportunities
The launch of this route is designed to meet the needs of the **Moroccan and African communities** in the area, while also capturing the **business and leisure** travel demands of a region characterized by a high-density economic fabric, significant international relationships, and a strong inclination towards both outgoing and incoming tourism. Additionally, the new flight route offers an opportunity to enhance tourism flows towards Morocco, responding to the increasing interest of Italian travelers in a destination that is increasingly appreciated for its **cultural**, **experiential**, and **scenic** richness.
The service is operated using a **Boeing 737-800**, which is configured with **12 business class seats** and **147 economy class seats**. Flight **AT890** departs from Casablanca at **13:10**, arriving in Verona at **17:20**, while flight **AT891** takes off from Verona at **18:20**, landing in Casablanca at **20:30**. Flights are scheduled for **Wednesday**, **Friday**, and **Sunday**.
According to **Camillo Bozzolo**, the Aviation Development Director at the Save Group, "The inauguration of the direct **Verona-Casablanca** route represents a significant step in the **international development journey of Catullo Airport**. This new route not only serves as a gateway to Morocco but also expands access to a wide range of African destinations. The flow of 290,000 passengers who traveled between Verona and Africa in 2025, reflecting a **22% increase** from the previous year, confirms the strong growth potential of this market and the increasing importance of the region in intercontinental connections. The new line is identified as a strategic flight for the area, supporting its industrial and commercial components that are increasingly oriented toward non-European markets, while also enhancing the tourism potential by facilitating new incoming and outgoing flows and effectively addressing the mobility needs of the ethnic communities present in the area."
This expansion in Italy is part of Royal Air Maroc's ambitious global business plan. By 2026, the airline plans to integrate **10 new aircraft** (bringing the total to 72) and launch **10 international routes**. Notably, a new direct flight to **Los Angeles** will establish the first-ever connection between Africa and the Pacific coast of the United States. Frequencies on key routes such as **São Paulo**, **Miami**, **Washington**, and **Dubai** will also be enhanced.
In anticipation of the **FIFA World Cup 2030**, the plan includes a fleet of **130 aircraft** and approximately **40 new routes**. This development will be supported by the **new Terminal 3 in Casablanca**, exclusively dedicated to the airline, which by 2029 will increase the hub's capacity from **15 million** to **35 million passengers**. This infrastructure will be connected to high-speed rail, further establishing Morocco as a natural bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
“**Italy is a market with extraordinary potential that responds enthusiastically to our offerings**,” concludes El Khassal. “**We are excited about the excellent performance of the new flight to Verona**, which aligns with our expectations. This launch coincides with the beginning of the peak season for travel to Morocco and the rest of the African continent.”
As reported by ildolomiti.it.
