Ryanair’s Ambitious Winter Expansion in Morocco
This winter, Ryanair is making a significant leap in its operations in Morocco, announcing an impressive plan to provide 5.3 million seats over 156 routes, which includes the introduction of 17 new connections. This expansion is hailed as the most ambitious initiative ever undertaken by the airline in the Moroccan market, according to the National Office of Tourism in Morocco (ONMT). The announcement aligns with a strategic meeting held in Rabat on October 27, 2026, between Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson and Moroccan tourism officials aimed at strengthening their ongoing partnership.
For the winter season of 2026, Ryanair is increasing its seat capacity by an additional 600,000, representing a notable 12% rise compared to the previous winter. This extended network is designed to connect 13 Moroccan airports with 14 different countries, promoting a more balanced distribution of tourist arrivals throughout the kingdom.
New Base and Job Creation
As part of this expansion, Ryanair will establish a new base in Rabat, marking its fifth operational base in Morocco. The airline plans to add two more aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of planes in Morocco to 16. This expansion represents a total investment of $1.6 billion and is expected to support over 8,500 local jobs.
Beyond major tourist hubs, Ryanair’s growing network will enhance connectivity to cities such as Fez, Tetouan, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Dakhla, and Nador. The ONMT emphasized that this expansion aligns with its strategy to increase air capacity, attract visitors from new markets, and solidify Morocco's position in existing European markets. The growth of Ryanair in Morocco reflects the airline's confidence in the country's tourism potential and its prospective growth.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
