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Join on Telegram Marrakech – Ryanair announced on Wednesday the opening of its fifth Moroccan base in Rabat, marking a $200 million investment that will launch in April 2026. The Irish carrier will station two aircraft at Rabat-Salé Airport and operate 20 routes, including seven new international connections.
The announcement was made during a ceremony at Rabat-Salé Airport attended by Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor. The new base represents Ryanair’s largest expansion in Morocco’s capital and builds on the airline’s existing network of 13 Moroccan airports.
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Seven new international routes will connect Rabat to Milan Bergamo, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt Hahn, Nuremberg, Porto, Pisa, and Valencia starting summer 2026. The expanded service will offer more than 18 weekly flights from Rabat during the first operational season, adding 79,000 seats to the international market.
The investment will create over 800 local jobs, including 60 highly skilled positions for pilots and cabin crew. Rabat’s capacity will increase by 45%, contributing to Ryanair’s record Summer 2026 schedule across Morocco with over 10.7 million expected passengers.
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“We are delighted to officially launch our new base at Rabat, which represents a $200 million investment and our fifth Moroccan base,” said Eddie Wilson, Ryanair’s CEO. “This latest base opening is part of our record S26 schedule, which will see Ryanair operate over 20 routes, including 7 new international routes to/from Morocco, boosting tourism and connectivity.”
Wilson noted that Ryanair’s total investment in Morocco now exceeds $1.6 billion in aircraft, supporting over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs across 13 cities, including Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, Tetouan, Essaouira, Dakhla, and Nador.
Direct support for tourism
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said the base opening aligns with Morocco’s exceptional tourism momentum under King Mohammed VI’s vision. She described the investment as a concrete implementation of the tourism roadmap’s focus on air connectivity.
“This major investment concretely translates the orientations of the tourism roadmap, which gives an important place to air connectivity,” Ammor stated. “It also testifies to the confidence of our international partners, who support our ambition to position Morocco among world-class tourist destinations.”
The project was developed through close coordination with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), which focuses on expanding air services as a central lever for Morocco’s tourism attractiveness.
ONMT Director General Achraf Fayda clarified Rabat’s potential to attract European markets. “The development of Ryanair’s base in Rabat fits perfectly into our air connectivity strategy and enhancement of destinations with strong potential,” he said.
“Rabat has all the assets to attract European markets, and this partnership reflects our desire to anticipate major upcoming international events like the 2030 World Cup,” he added.
Wilson acknowledged the collaboration with Moroccan authorities, thanking Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Transport Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and ONMT CEO Achraf Fayda for their support in securing the investment.
The expansion positions Morocco strategically ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup. To celebrate the base opening, Ryanair launched a promotional sale with fares starting at 319 MAD ($32) for travel until May 31, available through the Ryanair app.
