New Direct Flights Enhance Travel Connectivity
EasyJet has officially launched a new direct flight route connecting Strasbourg and Marrakech, operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. This service facilitates travel between Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport and Marrakech Menara Airport, significantly improving access for tourists, business professionals, students, and the Moroccan diaspora. Previously, travelers had to rely on connecting flights or indirect routes, making this new service a welcome enhancement in travel convenience.
This route is part of EasyJet's broader strategy to expand its presence in Morocco, coinciding with the establishment of its first African base at Marrakech-Menara Airport. With an investment exceeding €300 million, this base is equipped with three Airbus aircraft and is projected to provide up to 4 million seats within its inaugural year. This expansion is further supported by a partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office, set to enhance tourism ties by 2025. In addition to the new Strasbourg-Marrakech route, EasyJet plans to introduce further connections to Agadir and Essaouira, thereby expanding its Moroccan network to an impressive total of 58 routes. This growth aligns with the robust increase in tourism within Morocco, which reported travel receipts of MAD 31 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 24% year-on-year increase, alongside a 7% rise in arrivals totaling 4.3 million.
Broader Trends in Aviation and Tourism
In the context of evolving aviation dynamics, a noticeable disparity is emerging between African airlines that are at the forefront of adopting New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology and those that are lagging in modernizing their distribution systems. Furthermore, improved passport mobility for Nigerian travelers is enhancing access to numerous destinations without the prerequisite of prior visa applications, which is likely to boost regional travel. On another front, low-cost carriers in the Middle East are fortifying connections with East Africa through new direct services, including a significant route to Rwanda. Such developments are reshaping the aviation landscape, particularly as the industry adjusts to the current jet fuel crisis, which is influencing capacity, pricing strategies, and travel patterns as the Northern Hemisphere summer season approaches.
The launch of Air Tanzania's inaugural direct flight also represents a significant milestone for tourism and connectivity between East Africa and the Indian Ocean, suggesting a burgeoning trend in direct air travel within the region. As the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA®) continues to advocate for African tourism interests, it serves as a pivotal platform for networking, marketing, and education, facilitating dialogue with various tourism ministries and authorities across the continent.
As reported by atta.travel.
