Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has announced plans for a huge expansion to its 2024 Morocco flight program. As part of the carrier’s ambitious scheme, Ryanair will operate over 1,100 weekly flights across 175 routes from airports in Morocco, including 35 previously unserved routes.
The airline’s $1.4 billion investment in the Moroccan market will involve the introduction of services on 11 domestic routes within the North African country which it claims will boost internal connectivity and stimulate traffic growth across the Kingdom.
As part of the airline’s summer 2024 schedule, Ryanair has also announced the opening of its fourth Moroccan base, with two aircraft to be located at Tangier Airport (TNG), representing an investment of $200m. As an additional part of the plan, Ryanair will start to operate its first-ever flights to Beni-Mellal (BEM) and Errachidia (ERH) airports in the country.
Overall, Ryanair reckons that its expansion plan will deliver over five million additional seats for passengers traveling to, from, and within Morrocco.
According to a company statement, with the additional routes, Ryanair’s investment in Morocco will exceed $1.4 billion in aircraft alone. It will also fund over 500 jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers plus many more support jobs in tourism, “delivering economic growth across 12 cities including Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez, Agadir, Tangier, Ouarzazate, and Essaouira”.
Specifically, Ryanair’s Summer 2024 Morocco schedule will see a total of 14 based aircraft (seven at Marrakesh, three at Fez, two at Agadir, and two at Tangier). The new routes for the summer 2024 season can be seen in the table below (source: Ryanair)
“This is a historic day for the partnership between Ryanair and the Kingdom of Morocco,” said Ryanair Group’s CEO, Eddie Wilson. “Ryanair is proud to unveil a $1.4bn major investment in Morocco for Summer ’24, which with our biggest Summer schedule delivers more than 5m passengers to, from, and within the Kingdom of Morocco.”
“Ryanair is also excited this Summer to launch flights to two new airports – Beni Mellal and Errachidia. We are confident with the Kingdom’s continued support that today will be one of many exciting announcements we will be making together, as Ryanair supports the development of tourism infrastructure in Morocco in advance of the 2030 World Cup – with Ryanair cheering on the Atlas Lions,” he added.
“Ryanair wishes to thank His Excellency Mr. Aziz Akhannouch Head of Government of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, his Ministers of Transport and Tourism, Mr. Mohammed Abdeljalil and Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, as well as Mr. Adel El-Fakir, CEO of the Moroccan National Tourist Office for their vision and trust in securing this record investment for Morocco. Together we will continue to develop Morocco’s infrastructure, connectivity, and tourism, all of which will be underpinned and stimulated by Ryanair’s legendary low fares and industry-leading punctuality,” Wilson said.