Rabat – Irish low-cost airline Ryanair wants to allocate more aircraft to Morocco over the next seven years as the carrier expands its routes, creates jobs and works to bring tourists to more destinations across the country.
Speaking to Morocco World News at Rabat-Sale Airport on Tuesday, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said the airline plans to allocate as many as possible of the 300 aircraft it expects to receive over the next seven years to Morocco.
“We are taking delivery of 300 aircraft over the next seven years, and we want to apportion as many of those to Morocco as possible,” Wilson said. He added that the airline wants to open more routes and bring more aircraft and jobs to the country.
According to the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), Ryanair’s winter 2026 schedule includes 5.3 million seats, marking an increase of 600,000 seats, or 12%, compared with the previous winter. The schedule covers 156 routes, including 17 new destinations, connecting Morocco to 14 countries.
The network will serve 13 Moroccan airports, supporting the ONMT’s efforts to expand air connectivity and distribute tourist flows beyond the country’s main destinations.
Ryanair expands its presence in Morocco
Wilson said Ryanair’s new base in Rabat, which operates with two aircraft, is performing well. The base is the airline’s fifth in Morocco and brings its total number of aircraft based in the country to 16, according to the ONMT.
The expansion represents a total investment of $1.6 billion and supports more than 8,500 local jobs, the tourism office said.
Wilson also highlighted Morocco’s potential to attract visitors beyond established tourist hubs like Marrakech. “It’s not all just about Marrakech, which is a fabulous destination, but people are now finding they can go to Rabat and some of the more desert locations.”
Ryanair would continue working with the ONMT to promote these areas and develop new routes, as the airline has done in other European countries, he added.
The ONMT said the expanding network helps connect travelers to destinations such as Fez, Tetouan, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Dakhla, and Nador.
Wilson also pointed to the economic benefits of bringing international travelers directly to these regions, saying their spending can support accommodation providers, restaurants, and local tour guides.
Domestic flights and airport technology
Beyond international routes, Wilson said Ryanair’s domestic flights in Morocco were becoming an increasingly important part of its operations.
He said domestic air travel could support small businesses, help people access education and employment, and make it easier for them to live in one place and work in another.
“It’s a win-win for the economy if people can move around more easily,” he said.
The airline’s CEO also noted the introduction of Ryanair’s automated check-in system at Rabat-Sale Airport, which he described as the first airport in Morocco to use the technology.
The system allows passengers to access their bookings through the Ryanair app, scan a code using their phones and print their baggage tags themselves. The process is designed to reduce queues and help passengers move through the airport more quickly.
Asked whether Ryanair planned to introduce the system at other Moroccan airports, Wilson said the airline ultimately wanted to roll it out across its Moroccan network.
“Ultimately, we’ll have a roadmap to have it rolled out to all of our Moroccan airports,” he said.
The planned expansion of routes, aircraft and airport technology comes as Morocco seeks to strengthen its international air connections and attract visitors to a wider range of destinations.
