The Deputy General Manager of EasyJet in France and Director of the Morocco branch, Reginald Otten, emphasized on Friday that Morocco represents a strategic market where the airline aims to strengthen its presence. In an exclusive interview with the French economic daily, La Tribune, Otten discussed the establishment of the company's first base outside Europe in Marrakech and the British low-cost airline's commitment to implementing its operational model in the Kingdom.
Otten remarked, "It has been twenty years since EasyJet commenced its flights to Morocco, and thus we are contemplating the next phase," highlighting the exceptional growth this market has experienced since the health crisis. He noted a continuous surge in demand for Moroccan destinations, stating, "While Marrakech is the jewel of destinations, we are also witnessing interest in other locations, as we operate flights to five airports." He pointed out that Morocco is experiencing rapid growth and attracting significant international investments.
In addition to leisure tourism, business tourism is also witnessing notable development, with Otten explaining that EasyJet transports four million passengers to Morocco without having a base there, which he considers a significant indicator for a single country. He asserted that with this level of flights, establishing an airbase to attract more travelers has become crucial.
For Otten, although Marrakech is primarily a tourist destination rather than a market for exports, it attracts a vast number of visitors, including Moroccan tourists. He stated, "Our main goal will be to connect cities and attract more tourists to this country, especially since Morocco has a strategic ambition to reach 30 million travelers within four years." He clarified that the creation of this base is in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office, the National Airports Office, and the Marrakech region, emphasizing that the city was chosen due to Morocco's active year-round tourism appeal. He noted, "In Marrakech, we know that demand exists in both summer and winter.
Otten indicated that this dynamic will create approximately one hundred direct jobs, mostly local, and over a thousand indirect jobs within the air transport and tourism sectors (airports, hotels, travel agencies, etc.). He added that a destination like Marrakech, and Morocco in general, serves as a hub for business tourism, whether it pertains to conferences, corporate travel, or special business events. He considers the Kingdom an attractive destination with high competitiveness and diverse qualifications.
Regarding EasyJet's prospects in the Moroccan market, Otten confirmed that the airline will leverage its extensive experience in this market, and noted that Moroccans widely accept the company's operational model and its vision for customer service in the air transport sector, as well as the travelers' experience within airports.
On Wednesday, EasyJet inaugurated its first base in Africa at Marrakech-Menara Airport, marking the activation of the strategic partnership established in November 2025 with the Moroccan National Tourism Office. This base inauguration coincides with the company's celebration of two decades of presence in Morocco, ushering in a new era in enhancing the Kingdom's air connectivity and developing the national tourism sector.
As reported by iktissadkom.ma.
