Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is planning to increase its aircraft allocation to Morocco over the next seven years as it expands its route network, creates jobs and seeks to attract more international visitors to destinations across the country.
The airline expects to receive 300 aircraft during the period and intends to allocate as many of them as possible to its Moroccan operations, according to Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wilson.
Speaking to Morocco World News at Rabat-Salé Airport on Tuesday, Wilson said the expansion would involve opening additional routes, increasing the number of aircraft operating in the country and creating more employment opportunities.
“We are taking delivery of 300 aircraft over the next seven years, and we want to apportion as many of those to Morocco as possible,” Wilson said.
The planned investment comes as Morocco continues to strengthen its international air connectivity and position itself as a destination for a wider range of travellers.
According to the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), Ryanair’s winter 2026 schedule will provide 5.3 million seats, representing an increase of 600,000 seats, or 12 per cent, compared with the previous winter season.
The schedule includes 156 routes, with 17 new destinations connecting Morocco to 14 countries. Operations will cover 13 Moroccan airports, helping improve access to different parts of the country and supporting efforts to spread tourism beyond the most established destinations.
The expansion is also expected to strengthen Ryanair’s presence in Morocco, where the airline has continued to increase its operational capacity.
Wilson said the company’s newly established base in Rabat, which operates with two aircraft, was performing well. The facility is Ryanair’s fifth base in Morocco and brings the airline’s total number of aircraft based in the country to 16, according to the ONMT.
The tourism office estimates that Ryanair’s expansion represents an investment of $1.6 billion and supports more than 8,500 local jobs.
Beyond increasing passenger numbers, the airline’s growing presence could provide opportunities for businesses operating in tourism, hospitality, transportation and other related sectors.
Wilson said Morocco had considerable potential to attract visitors to destinations beyond Marrakech, which remains one of the country’s best-known tourist centres.
“It’s not all just about Marrakech, which is a fabulous destination, but people are now finding they can go to Rabat and some of the more desert locations,” he said.
He added that Ryanair would continue working with the ONMT to promote less-established destinations and develop routes that make them more accessible to international travellers.
The airline’s expanding network connects passengers to several Moroccan cities and tourism destinations, including Fez, Tetouan, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Dakhla and Nador.
Improved air connections could make it easier for tourists to explore these areas without relying exclusively on major travel hubs. It could also provide local businesses with greater access to international customers.
Wilson highlighted the economic benefits of bringing travellers directly to different regions, noting that visitor spending could support hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other businesses that depend on tourism.
For communities outside the country’s main tourist centres, increased air connectivity could help create new commercial opportunities and encourage investment in accommodation, transport and leisure services.
Ryanair’s expansion plans also include a growing focus on domestic air travel within Morocco, which Wilson described as an increasingly important part of the airline’s operations.
He said domestic flights could make it easier for people to travel between cities for work, education and business, while helping smaller enterprises reach customers and partners in other parts of the country.
According to Wilson, improved domestic connectivity could also give people greater flexibility in choosing where to live and work.
“It’s a win-win for the economy if people can move around more easily,” he said.
The comments reflect the wider role air transport can play in supporting economic activity, particularly when connections between major cities and smaller regional centres become more accessible.
In addition to expanding its route network, Ryanair is introducing technology designed to improve passenger processing at Moroccan airports.
Rabat-Salé Airport has become the first airport in Morocco to introduce the airline’s automated check-in system, according to Wilson.
The technology allows passengers to access their bookings through the Ryanair mobile application, scan a code using their phones and print their baggage tags independently.
The system is intended to reduce queues and make the airport check-in process faster and more convenient for travellers.
Wilson said the airline eventually hoped to introduce the technology across its Moroccan airport network, although a wider rollout would depend on a planned implementation programme.
“Ultimately, we’ll have a roadmap to have it rolled out to all of our Moroccan airports,” he said.
The introduction of automated check-in forms part of Ryanair’s broader efforts to improve operational efficiency while accommodating growing passenger numbers.
The planned addition of aircraft, new routes and improved airport technology comes as Morocco works to strengthen its position in the international tourism market.
For Ryanair, the country represents an opportunity to expand its operations while connecting more travellers to destinations that have traditionally received less international attention.
The extent to which the expansion benefits individual communities will depend on factors including passenger demand, the development of tourism infrastructure and the ability of local businesses to take advantage of increased visitor numbers.
However, the airline’s plans signal a continued commitment to the Moroccan market, with further investment expected to increase travel options and support employment across the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
