The launch of direct flights connecting Casablanca and Shanghai, operated by China Eastern Airlines (with seven weekly flights) and Shanghai Airlines (five weekly flights with a stop in Marseille), marks a significant boost to the growing relationship between Morocco and China. These new air routes respond to a rising demand for travel between China and North Africa, highlighting China’s strategic ambition to expand its economic presence in Morocco.
As China continues to increase its investments across Africa, Morocco serves as a critical gateway to the continent. These new flight connections are expected to facilitate exchanges in essential sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and new technologies. With trade between the two nations already reaching several billion dollars annually, the enhanced accessibility will further encourage Chinese businesses to establish a stronger presence in Morocco, while Moroccan enterprises gain more opportunities to expand into China.
These flights also align with Morocco’s “Industrial Acceleration Plan 2021-2025,” which aims to strengthen the country’s position as a major logistics hub. By enhancing air connectivity, Morocco can increase exports in key industries such as agriculture and textiles, benefiting from smoother trade flows with China and beyond. This strategic move is expected to attract new investments and create additional economic opportunities for both countries.
Since Morocco lifted visa requirements for Chinese citizens in 2016, the country has become a popular destination for Chinese tourists. The new direct routes are likely to further increase tourism from China, bolstering Morocco’s tourism sector and reinforcing cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations. However, this growth could also present logistical challenges for Morocco’s airport infrastructure, which may need to adapt to handle the increased traffic.
The stopover in Marseille, included in some of the Shanghai Airlines flights, offers a unique opportunity to enhance trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia. This triangular connection opens new doors for collaborations between the three regions, streamlining the movement of goods and services and fostering deeper economic partnerships.
These new flight routes between Casablanca and Shanghai represent more than just improved connectivity—they pave the way for deeper cooperation in strategic sectors crucial to both nations’ future growth. As Morocco continues to position itself as a key player in global trade, these air links with China will be instrumental in shaping the economic landscape in years to come.
