EasyJet Launches New Base in Marrakech
In a strategic move to enhance its operations, EasyJet has officially opened a new base in Marrakech, Morocco, in close collaboration with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT). This significant establishment involves the deployment of three aircraft at Marrakech-Menara Airport, allowing the airline to expand its capacity to offer up to four million seats annually. This expansion solidifies EasyJet's status as one of the leading providers of direct flights between Europe and North Africa, ensuring that travelers have increased access to this vibrant region.
New Routes and Economic Impact
The airline's growth plan includes the introduction of six new routes for the upcoming winter season of 2026/27, bringing its Moroccan network to a total of 58 routes. Among the exciting new destinations from Marrakech are Prague, Newcastle, and Zurich, along with additional routes from Nantes to Essaouira and from Bordeaux and Birmingham to Agadir. A crucial part of this restructuring includes transitioning current routes, such as those to Hamburg, Lille, and Strasbourg, to operate year-round, significantly enhancing the seasonal continuity of the flight schedule.
Since commencing operations in Morocco in 2006, EasyJet reports having transported over 20 million passengers to and from the country. The airline currently operates at five Moroccan airports, including Rabat, Essaouira, and Tangier. The new base is expected to create approximately 100 direct jobs for flight crews and ground staff locally. Additionally, for EasyJet, Marrakech serves as a vital hub for its package holiday division, EasyJet Holidays, as interest in Morocco as a leisure destination has consistently grown in recent years.
The economic significance of the new base extends to regional value creation as well. Beyond the direct jobs at the airport, thousands of indirect jobs in the tourism sector and among local service providers will be supported. Improved connectivity also enables business travelers and tourists to take advantage of more flexible travel options. The airline's management views the opening of this location as a pivotal moment to secure and further develop connectivity between Morocco and the European core market for the long term.
As reported by aviation.direct.
