easyJet inaugurated on Wednesday its first air base in Africa at Marrakech-Menara Airport, marking a new phase in its expansion in Morocco and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a major tourism hub.
The move follows a strategic partnership signed in November 2025 with the Moroccan National Tourist Office, aimed at strengthening air connectivity and supporting Morocco’s long-term tourism development strategy.
The new base, equipped with three Airbus aircraft and representing an investment exceeding €150 million, consolidates easyJet’s position as the second-largest airline operating in Marrakech.
According to official statements, the permanent, year-round base is expected to offer a record 4 million seats to and from Morocco from the outset, significantly increasing capacity on key European routes.
On the socio-economic front, the project is projected to generate around 100 direct jobs, alongside thousands of indirect jobs across aviation, tourism, and related services. Each aircraft based in Marrakech is also estimated to contribute approximately €30 million in gross added value to the local economy.
The development underscores the growing role of air transport as a key driver of regional growth, particularly in tourism-dependent destinations such as Marrakech.
Industry observers say the expansion is likely to further strengthen Morocco’s attractiveness as a destination, by improving accessibility, increasing flight frequencies, and lowering travel costs for European visitors.
The move comes as Morocco builds on a record year for tourism, with the country welcoming 19.8 million visitors in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The figure represents a 14% increase compared to 2024 and brings the Kingdom close to the symbolic threshold of 20 million tourists for the first time.
The ministry attributed this performance to the implementation of the 2023–2026 Tourism Roadmap, which prioritizes enhanced air connectivity, expanded accommodation capacity, diversification of tourism offerings, and improved service quality.
Tourism revenues also reached record levels, totaling 124 billion dirhams by the end of November 2025, marking a 19% year-on-year increase.
Commenting on the results, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said the near-20 million arrivals reflect a “profound transformation” of the sector, driven by the vision of King Mohammed VI.
In this context, easyJet’s new base is seen as a direct extension of Morocco’s strategy to leverage air connectivity as a cornerstone of tourism growth.
Analysts note that increased seat capacity and improved route networks are expected to support Morocco’s ambition to attract 26 million tourists by 2030, while consolidating its position as a leading global destination.
The launch of the Marrakech base thus reflects both the growing confidence of international carriers in Morocco’s tourism potential and the Kingdom’s continued efforts to translate connectivity gains into sustained economic growth.
