Morocco stands to win from Ryanair’s redeployment from Spain

Ryanair has announced it is cutting nearly one million seats from its Spanish operations due to rising airport fees and underutilized infrastructure.

The Irish low-cost carrier said it will redirect its capacity to more competitive markets, with Morocco emerging as a key beneficiary.

Ryanair has solidified its role as a cornerstone of Moroccan air connectivity, operating from four bases: Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, and Tangier (opened in July 2024). The airline now stations 14 aircraft in the country and runs 1,100 weekly flights across 175 routes, including 35 new connections.

In 2024, Ryanair launched Morocco’s first domestic air network, connecting nine cities via 11 routes, with fares starting at about $35.

Growing tourist hubs like Dakhla in southern Morocco are now linked to Madrid and Lanzarote, thanks to a strategic partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT).

Expanding air routes is a pillar of Morocco’s tourism strategy. Up to July this year, the country had a record 11.6 million tourist arrivals, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In 2024, Morocco had a record 17.4 million tourist arrivals, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023 and surpassing pre-pandemic levels.