![Spanish Representatives Oppose Morocco’s Joint Bid with Spain and Portugal Spain’ Prime Minister proposed a trio bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup; but the idea does not appear to be popular with Spanish politicians. The representatives of two Spanish political parties, the People’s Party and the Citizens-Party, have said they do not want Spain to submit a joint candidacy with Portugal and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup. In a meeting organized by the National Federation of Sports Facilities Entrepreneurs (FNEID) in Madrid, the People’s party representative, Vicente Azpitarte dismissively spoke about Spain joining a trio with Morocco and Portugal to organize the World Cup. Azpitarte specifically wondered whether Spain would get any advantages from teaming up with the two countries, t Spanish news outlet Iusport reported on Wednesday. The Citizens-Party representative, Roberto Nunez, agreed with Azpitarte. “We do not intend to organize a World Cup with other countries. Spain has more than enough capacity [to organize the World Cup], it is a country that has already organized a World Cup, and we do not understand that proposal,” Nunez said. The adviser of United Podemos, Oscar Penas, stated that he does not clearly see why “the priority is to organize a World Cup or an Olympiad at this time.” Morocco and Spain cooperate on a number of issues, ranging from security and migration to trade and education. On November 18, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, arrived in Morocco for a first visit since his election to premiership. During his visit, Sanchez proposed to both Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani and King Mohammed VI a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup. “We are launching a joint message, which is that this will be a bid between two continents. The King of Morocco is receptive and we’re going to work on it with Portugal. We are very excited about it,” Sanchez said.](https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ABL-Launches-in-Casablanca-Becoming-Africa’s-First-Aircraft-Leaser-180x135.jpeg "ABL Launches in Casablanca, Becoming Africa’s First Aircraft Leaser")
After Air Arabia’s new deal, a partnership between RAM and the Souss Massa region will offer a subsidized flight between Agadir and Casablanca.
By Mohamed Hikal
The new agreement between the Souss Massa region and RAM took effect November 1 and will remain in effect for two years.
“For passengers flying between Agadir and Casablanca, an economy class ticket will cost MAD 550 and a business class ticket will be MAD 1,100 with an average of 5 to 6 flights back and forth per day,” Souss Massa region President Abdellah Oubari said.
The low-cost Air Arabia has introduced a cheaper flight linking Agadir to Casablanca with prices starting from MAD 250.
The Souss Massa Regional Council will subsidize Morocco’s flag carrier at approximately MAD 46 million per year. RAM will also receive a MAD 10 million subsidy from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation.
The agreement will increase the number of flights between Agadir’s Massira Airport and Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport.
“This agreement has economic, tourist, and social implications. It will enhance mobility between Agadir and Casablanca and encourage tourism and investments in the region,” Oubari added.
Previously, RAM tickets cost MAD 7,000 or more. However, because Air Arabia has already offered even cheaper flights, it would seem that RAM’s subsidized tickets will only benefit a wealthier class who wants better service than flying with Air Arabia or traveling by bus.
In the absence of railway line linking Agadir to Casablanca, locals in the Souss Massa region can only go north in Supratour buses, which are annexed to the ONCF railway company, or CTM buses.
Supratour bus tickets cost MAD 205 to 210. CTM buses, the Moroccan Transport Company, offer tickets for MAD 215 to 225. There are other buses that might cost a little less than these two.
Adding RAM’s cheaper air travel tickets will help Agadir and the region as a whole to be more accessible to the country and may end its stagnation.
But with the high cost of the subsidies, it remains to be seen if the move will pay for itself and become sustainable.
