Ryanair is to enter Morocco’s domestic market as part of a 35-route expansion plan during the northern summer 2024 season.

The Irish ULCC intends to open 11 new connections within the North African country, as well as 24 new international services. The move will increase the airline’s Moroccan network to 1,100 weekly flights across 175 routes during the season.

Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair DAC, described the expansion as a “historic day” for the partnership between Ryanair and Morocco, saying the summer schedule will see the airline carry more than five million passengers to, from and within the country. This represents growth of 33% on summer 2023.

As part of the flight program, Ryanair will open a new base in Tangier, as well as operating its first flights to Beni-Mellal and Errachidia airports. Two aircraft will be stationed at Tangier-Ibn Battouta International Airport, taking the total number based in Morocco to 14. Seven aircraft will be based in Marrakesh, three in Fez and two in Agadir.

Morocco’s Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor says the growth will help the country to achieve its tourism goals, with efforts to double tourism numbers to 26 million by 2030 when it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal. She adds that Ryanair also hopes to double the number of passengers on Moroccan routes to 10 million over the next three years.

In the domestic market, Ryanair will provide competition for national carrier Royal Air Maroc, as well as LCC Air Arabia Maroc. According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser, Royal Air Maroc offers the lion’s share of capacity, accounting for 82.3% of all domestic seats during December 2023.

Internationally, Ryanair was the second-largest provider of capacity during summer 2023, with 2.18 million departure seats during the season. This gave it a capacity share of 23.7%, behind Royal Air Maroc on 27.9%. However, the winter program sees Ryanair take a leading position, accounting for 24.8% of all international seats. Royal Air Maroc is second with 23.9%.