Morocco welcomed 15.7 million tourists between January and September 2026, as expanding airline networks strengthened access to its cities and coast.
The supplied tourism figures show a 5% increase against the same period in 2025, representing approximately 717,000 additional visitors.
Meanwhile, easyJet, Ryanair, Royal Air Maroc and other carriers are expanding services independently across European and North American markets.
Their additional routes support Morocco’s ambition to attract 26 million annual visitors by 2030. The country will co-host that year’s FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
For travellers, the expansion creates more opportunities to reach Marrakech, Agadir, Rabat and other destinations directly.
Visitor Demand Extends Beyond Summer
September attracted more than 1.5 million tourists, an 8% increase compared with September 2025.
That performance strengthens Morocco’s position as a destination for travel beyond the main summer season. Winter schedules now feature additional city breaks and coastal holiday options.
The growth follows 19.8 million arrivals during 2025. Morocco also secured 52 new international air services during the first half of 2026.
Contracted summer airline capacity reached 7.74 million seats, increasing 13% annually. However, available seats represent potential access rather than confirmed visitor arrivals.
Tourism businesses can benefit from broader connectivity, although actual demand will depend on bookings and passenger uptake.
easyJet Expands Marrakech and Regional Access
easyJet opened its first African operating base at Marrakech Menara Airport on April 15, 2026, positioning three aircraft there.
The development supports a wider network of international services. The associated programme projects approximately four million seats during its first operational year.
Earlier additions included Geneva–Tangier, Hamburg–Marrakech and Marrakech connections from Lille and Strasbourg.
Further Marrakech services are scheduled from Prague on October 25, Zurich on October 28 and Newcastle on November 3.
Rabat will receive London Luton flights from November 5 and London Southend services from December 3.
Other additions connect Nantes with Essaouira, alongside Bordeaux and Birmingham links to Agadir. These routes broaden access across cultural and coastal destinations.
Ryanair Builds Winter Capacity Across Morocco
Ryanair’s announced winter programme includes 156 routes linking Morocco with 14 European countries.
The schedule provides 5.3 million seats and introduces 17 routes. Its Moroccan-based fleet is expected to reach 16 aircraft.
The Rabat base programme involves a stated $200 million investment and two aircraft, supporting 20 routes.
New European links include Milan Bergamo, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt-Hahn, Nuremberg, Porto, Pisa and Valencia.
Additional winter connections include Stockholm–Rabat, Kraków–Rabat and Wrocław–Marrakech. Agadir gains services from Milan, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdańsk.
The wider network gives travellers more departure choices while increasing the capital’s visibility within European holiday markets.
North American Routes Broaden Morocco’s Reach
Royal Air Maroc launched three weekly Casablanca–Los Angeles flights on June 7, 2026.
The nonstop service offers travellers from the American Pacific Coast a direct gateway to Morocco, avoiding a European connection.
The national carrier is also expanding links between northern Morocco and Spain. Its summer programme offered over 8.2 million seats across 86 international destinations.
Separately, Air Transat introduced weekly Friday flights between Montreal and Agadir on June 12.
That seasonal service runs through October 23, complementing the airline’s existing Montreal–Marrakech connection.
Together, these developments broaden North American access while creating opportunities for coastal stays and multi-destination itineraries.
European Leisure Airlines Add Winter Options
Discover Airlines plans a weekly Sunday Munich–Fez service from late October, alongside twice-weekly Frankfurt–Agadir flights.
The additions serve different visitor interests, connecting German travellers with heritage experiences and Atlantic beach holidays.
Jet2’s winter expansion includes twice-weekly London Gatwick–Agadir flights beginning October 22, plus an East Midlands–Agadir route.
Its package holiday operation combines flights, accommodation and transfers, simplifying arrangements for travellers seeking organised resort stays.
Meanwhile, Transavia France’s winter programme provides over 611,000 seats, increasing capacity by 8%.
Its network includes 25 routes connecting nine French airports with 11 Moroccan destinations, with up to 160 weekly flights.
Airports and Hospitality Prepare for Expansion
Morocco’s MAD 38 billion airport development programme spans 2025–2030. It aims to raise annual passenger-handling capacity from 34 million to 80 million.
A €270 million African Development Bank financing agreement, signed September 29, supports airport modernisation.
Planned improvements cover terminals, baggage systems, aircraft parking and security facilities. These investments address the operational demands accompanying larger airline schedules.
The hospitality programme also includes an additional 60,000 hotel beds ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Go Siyaha aims to support 1,700 tourism enterprises by the end of 2026.
Together, expanded transport access and visitor services could help Morocco accommodate growth across more destinations and seasons.
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