easyJet (U2), the carrier that was mired in the chaos of hundreds of its passengers due to new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES), has inaugurated its first African base at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), Marrakech, marking a structural expansion of its North African footprint with three permanently stationed aircraft. The move coincides with the airline’s 20th year of operations in Morocco and comes as it surpasses 20 million passengers carried in the country.
The announcement was made in Marrakech, Morocco, where senior executives including easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis, Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO) Director Achraf Fayda, and National Airports Office (ONDA) Director Adel El Fakir attended the launch ceremony. Alongside the base opening, easyJet confirmed six new routes for Winter 2026.
easyJet Establishes Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) Base with Three Aircraft Deployment
easyJet has formally established a permanent operational base at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), enabling year-round deployment of three Airbus aircraft and expanding capacity across its Moroccan network. The airline’s decision follows a long-term partnership agreement with the Moroccan National Tourist Office signed in late 2025.
The base is designed to support up to four million seats in its first operational year, reflecting a significant capacity increase on existing routes. According to ONDA, the initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader aviation growth strategy and airport modernisation programme.
The launch also strengthens easyJet’s positioning in Marrakech, where it already operates as one of the largest foreign carriers. The airline now ranks as the second-largest operator at the airport and the third-largest across Morocco.
easyJet Adds Six New Morocco Routes for Winter 2026 Schedule
As part of its expanded Morocco strategy, easyJet has introduced six new routes scheduled to enter service progressively from late 2026. Three routes are already on sale, while the remaining three will be released later in the spring booking cycle.
The confirmed services include Prague (PRG) to Marrakech (RAK), Newcastle (NCL) to Marrakech (RAK), and Zurich (ZRH) to Marrakech (RAK). Prague–Marrakech begins on 25 October 2026 with twice-weekly operations, while Newcastle and Zurich follow in early November and late October respectively.
Additional routes—Nantes (NTE) to Essaouira (ESU), Bordeaux (BOD) to Agadir (AGA), and Birmingham (BHX) to Agadir (AGA)—will open for sale later in the season. These additions expand access to Morocco’s Atlantic and southern tourism corridors.
easyJet Morocco Network Expands to 58 Routes Across Five Airports
With the addition of new services, easyJet’s Morocco network is set to grow to 58 routes, reinforcing its role as one of the country’s most significant European connectivity providers. The airline currently operates across Marrakech (RAK), Agadir (AGA), Rabat (RBA), Essaouira (ESU), and Tangier (TNG).
The carrier also confirmed that several seasonal European routes will transition to year-round operations from 2026, including Hamburg (HAM) to Marrakech (RAK), Lille (LIL) to Marrakech (RAK), and Strasbourg (SXB) to Marrakech (RAK). This shift reflects sustained demand across both leisure and diaspora traffic flows.
A new Geneva (GVA) to Tangier (TNG) service is also scheduled to begin in March 2026, operating twice weekly and expanding connectivity between Switzerland and northern Morocco.
easyJet Partnership with MNTO and ONDA Supports Long-Term Morocco Growth Strategy
The Marrakech base expansion stems from a strategic partnership between easyJet and the Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO), formalised in autumn 2025. The agreement supports sustained capacity growth and enhanced inbound tourism flows from key European markets.
The National Airports Office (ONDA) has also supported infrastructure readiness at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which continues to undergo capacity and efficiency upgrades to accommodate rising traffic volumes. ONDA has consistently positioned Moroccan airports as regional aviation hubs connecting Europe and Africa.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total passenger terminal area | ~120,000 m² |
| Basement area | 16,000 m² |
| Basement function | Baggage sorting system, air conditioning facilities, baggage support areas |
| Ground floor total area | 55,200 m² |
| Ground floor extension | +3,200 m² |
| Ground floor function | Check-in, arrivals/departures, immigration controls, airline offices, customs, baggage delivery |
| First floor area | 20,650 m² |
| First floor extension | 9,150 m² |
| First floor function | Disembarkation gallery, technical spaces |
| Second floor area | 28,850 m² |
| Second floor extension | 11,350 m² |
| Second floor function | International departure lounges, commercial areas |
| Total investment (RAK only) | MAD 850 million (~$85.1 million) |
| Infrastructure scope | Terminal expansion + roads + parking + drop-off zones |
Data: Morocco World News
During the launch, easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis stated that the expansion reflects the airline’s long-standing commitment to Morocco, highlighting both tourism growth and economic benefits generated through increased air connectivity:
I am delighted to be announcing this historic partnership and the establishment of a new base in Marrakech. There is no doubt Morocco is a key market for easyJet: we are the largest carrier to Morocco from the UK and from Switzerland, Morocco is our fastest growing market outside Europe and a major destination for our easyJet holidays customers. With this new development and the launch of our base in Marrakech we will expand our leisure and business offer to Morocco from more destinations across Europe than ever before.
The airline emphasised job creation and wider regional economic spillovers as central outcomes of the base establishment.
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easyJet Holidays expands Morocco Portfolio Alongside Airline Capacity Growth
The expansion of easyJet’s airline operations is directly aligned with the growth of its tour operator arm, easyJet holidays. Morocco remains one of the company’s fastest-growing package holiday markets, with Marrakech serving as a core destination.
The company currently offers more than 70 hotels in Marrakech, spanning midscale to luxury segments. In October 2025, easyJet holidays launched its “Luxury Collection” in the United Kingdom, introducing a curated selection of premium properties across key leisure destinations, including Morocco.
The rollout of this segment in 2026 is expected to further diversify inbound travel demand, particularly from high-yield European leisure markets.