Rabat – Essaouira is set to enhance its tourism appeal with the launch of three new direct flight routes connecting the coastal city to Paris, Lyon, and Nantes beginning in April 2025.
With two to three weekly flights planned for each destination, these new air connections are expected to bolster Essaouira’s position as a prominent destination in Morocco’s tourism sector.
The first of these routes will be launched in April 2025, when Ryanair begins direct flights between Essaouira and Paris-Beauvais. This move comes in response to growing demand from travelers seeking to visit Essaouira, as confirmed by the management of Essaouira-Mogador Airport.
In May 2025, EasyJet will resume flights between Lyon-Saint Exupéry and Essaouira, reinstating a route that had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The relaunch is a vital step in reconnecting travelers from southeastern France to the city, known as the “City of Trade Winds.”
Starting in July 2025, Transavia will begin linking Essaouira with Nantes, providing greater access to French tourists from western France.
This new route will make it easier for visitors to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, famous for its rich culture, history, and ocean breezes.
“These new air links are part of a broader strategy to enhance Essaouira’s tourism appeal and improve connectivity with key French destinations,” said Abdelmounaim Aoutoul, director of Essaouira-Mogador Airport.
Read also:
The announcement follows a record-breaking 2024 for Essaouira, which welcomed over a million visitors.
Passenger traffic at Essaouira-Mogador Airport reached 171,892 in the first nine months of 2024, a nearly 30% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
According to Ridouane Khan, President of the Regional Tourism Council (CRT), the city also set a new record with over three million overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments.
Khan highlighted that the success was further supported by the informal tourism sector, including vacation rentals provided by locals, which plays a significant role in Essaouira’s thriving market.
The year 2024 marked exceptional growth for Essaouira’s tourism, with the city evolving from a seasonal destination to a year-round hotspot. “Essaouira is now welcoming visitors throughout the year, in winter, summer, autumn, and spring,” the CRT president noted.
