Doha – In a bold move beyond its European comfort zone, low-cost carrier Ryanair has set its sights on Morocco as a strategic market to fuel its ambitious growth plans.
The Irish airline, led by CEO Michael O’Leary, is poised to become the first European carrier authorized by the Moroccan government to operate domestic flights within the North African nation – a privilege previously limited to Air Arabia and state-owned Royal Air Maroc, according to a report by Spanish newspaper El Economista.
Ryanair’s entry into Morocco comes with an impressive operational rollout valued at nearly €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion). The company will establish a new base in Tangier with two aircraft and create 60 new jobs.
It plans to launch 35 routes, including 11 domestic ones, and has scheduled a record number of flights for the upcoming summer season. The expansion is expected to generate a total of 500 skilled positions in Morocco, as reported by El Economista.
This strategic move comes at a pivotal time for Morocco, as the country embraces international openness and experiences a tourism boom. Morocco also aims to solidify its position as a bridge between Africa and Europe and assert its economic leadership on the continent.
Notably, it is the fourth non-European country to receive the most European flights, a milestone achieved after integrating its airspace into the European structures of the Eurocontrol regulator, according to the newspaper.
“This year, we will open our first eleven domestic routes and fly to Morocco from 17 European countries because it joined the EU Open Skies agreement. We are going to be the largest airline and surpass Royal Air Maroc,” declared O’Leary in a press conference with journalists last January, as cited by El Economista.
Ryanair will base a total of 14 aircraft in Morocco, with 7 in Marrakech, 3 in Fez, 2 in Agadir, and 2 in Tangier. The airline estimates it will transport 5 million domestic and international passengers, representing a 33% growth compared to its fiscal year 2023, says El Economista.
During peak season, Ryanair will offer more than 1,100 flights per week on 175 different routes, serving 12 Moroccan cities, including major destinations like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, as well as more economically depressed regions.
The airports of Beni Mellal and Errachidia will benefit from new domestic and international connections. Errachidia, in particular, due to its prime location near the Sahara, is one of the main tourist attractions in the less economically developed area, as reported by El Economista.
Of the 24 new international routes, five will have Spain as their origin or destination, according to El Economista. These include two flights from Beni Mellal and Tangier to Barcelona, a connection between Zaragoza and Fez, and a Murcia-Marrakech flight. There will also be two routes to the Canary Islands capitalizing on the archipelago’s proximity to Morocco – one to Lanzarote and another to Tenerife South.
Ryanair’s decision also aligns with airlines’ positioning to capture the large market of travelers expected to visit Morocco for the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal, as reported by El Economista.
Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, emphasized this point after finalizing the agreement with the Moroccan government. As quoted by El Economista, he stated “Ryanair supports the development of tourism infrastructure in Morocco in preparation for the World Cup and will encourage the Atlas Lions. Together, we will continue to develop infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism in Morocco.”
With its foray into the Moroccan market, Ryanair is not only expanding its global footprint but also contributing to the country’s economic development and tourism aspirations.
As the 2030 World Cup approaches, the low-cost carrier’s presence in Morocco is set to play a significant role in facilitating travel for football fans and boosting the nation’s international profile. The coming years will reveal the full impact of Ryanair’s bold move and its ability to reshape the aviation landscape in Morocco and beyond, as reported by El Economista.
