easyJet Expands Its Reach in Africa with New Base
On April 15, the Marrakech Menara Airport became the site of a significant milestone as easyJet inaugurated its first African base, a move expected to enhance air travel connectivity between Morocco and key European markets. This momentous event was attended by prominent figures including Achraf Fayda, CEO of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), and Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet. The establishment of this base is set to house three aircraft and provide up to 4 million seats in its inaugural year, which will considerably bolster the airline’s operations in the region.
This new base will introduce six additional routes, raising the total number of connections with Morocco to 58. By the winter of 2026, Marrakech will feature direct flights to cities such as Prague, Newcastle, and Zurich. Furthermore, the spring of 2026 will see the launch of new services connecting Nantes with Essaouira, Bordeaux with Agadir, and Birmingham with Agadir. Existing routes from Marrakech, including those to Lille, Strasbourg, and Hamburg, will now be available year-round, enhancing travel options for passengers.
easyJet currently services five Moroccan airports: Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat, Essaouira, and Tangier, solidifying its position as a leading carrier to Morocco from the UK and Switzerland, and making it the third largest airline operating in the country. The establishment of this new base is anticipated to create around 100 direct jobs while also generating numerous indirect employment opportunities, thereby stimulating the local tourism ecosystem. This initiative is part of a strategic partnership established in the autumn of 2025 between ONMT and easyJet aimed at improving connectivity, diversifying markets, and fostering balanced tourism growth. The agreement also includes plans for expanding easyJet holidays, with over 70 properties in Marrakech available for travelers.
Since its entry into the Moroccan market in 2006, easyJet has transported nearly 20 million passengers to the kingdom. Through this expansion, ONMT hopes to boost capacity, stabilize routes, and broaden market access to support a more structured and sustainable growth trajectory for tourism in Morocco.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
