A new air link could soon connect Casablanca with Almaty in Kazakhstan. The two countries are in talks with several airlines to launch the route, which would cover about 7,000km. The first flights are expected to include a technical stop. A non-stop service could be added later when an aircraft capable of flying the full distance becomes available. No airline, launch date or flight schedule has been announced yet.
Moroccan Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mohammed Rachid Maaninou confirmed the talks in an interview with The Astana Times published on Monday.
The project was discussed in April during a meeting in Marrakech between Tarik Talibi, director general of civil aviation, and Saltanat Tompiyeva, chairwoman of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee.
Kazakhstan also asked Morocco to consider fifth-freedom traffic rights. These rights can allow an airline to carry passengers between two countries while making a stop in a third country.
Morocco agreed to study the proposal and the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding.
The planned route comes as trade and business ties between the two countries grow.
Trade between Morocco and Kazakhstan reached $461.5m in 2025, up 68% from the previous year. Kazakh exports accounted for $434m.
The two countries are also working on a plan to store Kazakh wheat at a Moroccan port before sending it to other African markets.
“The agreement provides for the establishment in Morocco of a large grain stockpile managed by Kazakhstan. The wheat would be shipped in larger quantities, stored in a Moroccan port, and then distributed to various African markets,” Maaninou said.
Prodcorporation, Kazakhstan’s national grain company, also sees Morocco as a potential base for expanding into North and West Africa.
“We see the Kingdom of Morocco not only as a promising market for Kazakh grain products, but also as a strategic logistics and commercial platform to expand our presence in the North and West African markets,” said Asylkhan Dzhuvashev, chairman of Prodcorporation’s board, in July.
The two countries have also signed a visa exemption agreement covering holders of ordinary national passports.
The agreement allows citizens of both countries to enter, leave, transit and stay without a visa for up to 30 days per entry. The total stay is limited to 30 days within any 180-day period.
People planning to work, study, take up residence or stay longer than 30 days will still need to apply for the relevant visa before travelling.
The visa agreement could also help support the planned air route by making travel between the two countries easier for tourists, business people and official delegations.
“The agreement on visa exemption for holders of national passports marks a historic step forward in developing our bilateral relations, laying the groundwork for increased trade, tourism, and diplomatic cooperation,” Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The new air link would give passengers in Casablanca a new connection to Central Asia. It would also give Kazakhstan better access to Morocco and onward flights to Africa.
