Morocco’s tourism authority, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), and airline easyJet have opened the carrier’s first base in Africa at Marrakech Menara Airport.
The launch was marked by ONMT director general Achraf Fayda and easyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis. Three aircraft will now be based in Marrakech to increase flights between Morocco and Europe.
More seats, more routes
The new base is expected to offer up to four million seats in its first year.
easyJet will add six new routes, taking its total network in Morocco to 58 routes.
The expansion has created around 100 direct jobs. Thousands more jobs are expected indirectly in hotels, tourism, and related services.
The airline now operates from five Moroccan cities: Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat, Essaouira and Tangier.
Part of Morocco’s tourism plan
The move supports Morocco’s “Light in Action” tourism plan running from 2023 to 2026. The country aims to attract 17.5 million visitors by 2026.
Officials say increasing flight capacity is key to reaching that target, with more partnerships with low cost airlines helping to keep travel affordable and available all year.
easyJet’s first base outside Europe
easyJet has been flying to Morocco since 2006, but this is the first time it has based aircraft outside Europe.
The airline says Marrakech helps it avoid airport congestion in Europe and gives it more flexibility to run flights at better times for short city trips.
Holidays and hotels
easyJet holidays is also expanding in Morocco, working with more than 70 hotels in Marrakech.
The aim is to offer full travel packages, combining flights and hotels, which helps keep prices stable and demand steady, especially in resort areas like Palmeraie and Taghazout Bay.
Bigger picture for Morocco
Morocco remains Africa’s most visited country, with 17.4 million tourists in 2024, ahead of Egypt’s 16 million.
The National Airports Office (ONDA) is working on its “Airport 2030” plan, which aims to handle 80 million passengers a year by the end of the decade. This also supports preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2030.
Meanwhile, Royal Air Maroc is also expanding its fleet and aims to reach 200 aircraft by 2037. It is focusing on long distance routes through Casablanca, while low cost airlines like easyJet handle more European holiday travel.
New routes
easyJet’s winter 2026 schedule includes flights to Prague, Newcastle and Zurich. In spring 2026, it will add Nantes, Bordeaux and Birmingham.
The Marrakech base strengthens easyJet’s position as a key airline between Morocco, the UK and Switzerland, and supports Morocco’s wider push to grow tourism and improve air links.
