Morocco Eyes Direct Flight Connectivity With India

Marrakech – Morocco is actively exploring the launch of direct flights to India as part of a broader push to tap into one of its fastest-growing long-haul tourism markets.

According to the Times of India, Jamal Younes Kilito, country manager of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), indicated the move hinges on reaching a critical mass of travelers. “Morocco saw almost 54,000 Indian visitors in 2025, and this is expected to rise to 70,000 this year. Once the number touches one lakh, a direct flight will be viable,” he said at a media roundtable in Chennai.

Travel between the two countries currently relies on connecting flights through Middle Eastern and European hubs, adding to both cost and travel time. Industry figures say this remains a key barrier.

Sriharan Balan, managing director of Madura Travel Service, noted that return airfares from Chennai average around 80,000 rupees – comparable to European destinations. “If direct flights are introduced, the travel cost will come down and more people will choose Morocco,” he remarked.

Behind the airline ambitions lies a sharp upward trajectory in Indian arrivals that has reshaped Morocco’s tourism calculus.

Morocco received 54,000 Indian travelers in 2025, a 31% increase from 41,000 in 2024. That followed a 123% surge in Indian arrivals in 2024, driven largely by the ONMT’s promotional campaigns and partnerships with Indian tour operators since establishing its India operations in 2023.

A segment-driven tourism strategy

The streamlined e-visa process, which takes between a few hours and four working days, has also played a significant role. “The main reason for this growth can be attributed to our promotions, which began two years back in 2023, and the e-visa facility,” Kilito told Press Trust of India in a mid-February interview.

India now ranks among Morocco’s top 20 source markets globally and holds second place among Asian markets, behind China. “Looking at the current growth momentum, we expect India to reach the top 10 rankings in a few years,” Kilito noted.

Morocco’s India strategy is increasingly segment-driven. Group travel remains a priority, with one in five Indian visitors currently opting for organized tours. The ONMT is also targeting MICE tourism, destination weddings, young couples, and free independent travelers.

At least 10 Indian weddings are held in Morocco annually, and 15 MICE groups visit the country each year. Several Bollywood productions have also been filmed there, supported by government subsidies.

“We are looking at promoting Morocco for the well-travelled older travellers, who are over 50 years of age,” Kilito said, adding that the ultimate goal is to reach 100,000 Indian visitors as quickly as possible.

This market expansion aligns with Morocco’s 2030 tourism vision, which targets 26 million annual visitors. The country welcomed approximately 19.8 million tourists in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase.

Tourism receipts reached approximately MAD 138 billion ($13.8 billion) in foreign-currency revenues for the year. Parallel investments aim to raise national airport capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030, up from roughly 38 million today, ahead of the country’s 2030 World Cup co-hosting commitments.