EasyJet Establishes Its First Permanent Base in Africa
EasyJet has proudly inaugurated its first permanent base on the African continent, strategically positioning three aircraft at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) in Morocco. This significant launch, which took place yesterday, was attended by notable figures including easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis, Moroccan National Tourist Office Director Achraf Fayda, and National Airports Office Director Adel El Fakir. This milestone not only celebrates two decades of easyJet's operations within Morocco but also marks the transportation of an impressive 20 million passengers across the nation. The new operational base is projected to provide a record-breaking four million seats in its inaugural year, generating 100 direct jobs and thousands of indirect employment opportunities in the region, thereby contributing to the local economy.
Expansion of Routes and Strengthening Partnerships
The opening of this base is firmly supported by a long-term partnership between easyJet and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, formalized in the autumn of 2025. As part of this expansion, six new routes to Morocco have been announced for Winter 2026. Flights from Prague, Newcastle, and Zurich to Marrakech are currently available for booking, while additional routes from Nantes to Essaouira, Bordeaux to Agadir, and Birmingham to Agadir will become available later this spring. These new routes enhance easyJet's total network in Morocco to 58 routes spanning five airports, solidifying its status as the second-largest airline in Marrakech and the third-largest across Morocco. Notably, easyJet also stands out as the leading carrier connecting Morocco with both the UK and Switzerland.
In addition to easyJet's developments, a panel discussion on accessible travel held at WTM Africa 2026 in Cape Town on April 14 underscored the substantial commercial opportunities available to travel agents willing to adapt their communication and service strategies to better accommodate travellers with disabilities and neurodivergent needs. Furthermore, Emirates and Wesgro have formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance inbound tourism to the Western Cape from promising growth markets, including the GCC, Far East, and India.
Meanwhile, Zambia's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advocated for improved aviation connectivity and expedited capacity building across Africa, following the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2026. However, the aviation sector faces critical challenges, with recent warnings indicating potential jet fuel shortages that could impact summer travel across Europe and beyond. Amidst these developments, South African Airways (SAA) has reassured its trade partners that all services are functioning normally, despite ongoing discussions regarding aviation fuel supply issues in South Africa. SAA confirmed that contingency plans are in place to ensure the stability of its network.
The ATTA® platform continues to offer extensive opportunities for networking, marketing, and education, serving as a vital resource for African tourism interests while engaging with various tourism ministries and associations across the continent.
As reported by atta.travel.
