Ryanair Opens New Base in Rabat, Morocco
Ryanair announced this Wednesday the opening of a new operational base in Rabat, which will begin operating in April 2026. The Moroccan capital will thus become the airline’s fifth base in the country, a move that strengthens low-cost air connectivity in Morocco ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will co-host.
The company will station two aircraft permanently at the base, with an estimated investment of $200 million, and will launch a total of 20 routes, including seven new international connections for the summer 2026 season.
Seven New International Routes from the Moroccan Capital
The Rabat base will allow Ryanair to expand its network with seven new routes directly linking the city to various European destinations. These connections will be to Milan-Bergamo, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt-Hahn, Nuremberg, Porto, Pisa, and Valencia.
Overall, the schedule from Rabat will reach 20 routes, solidifying the airport’s position as a key hub within the airline’s network in North Africa.
→ Ryanair to Connect Castellón with Manchester and Bologna in Summer 2026
Impact on Capacity, Employment, and Investment
The opening of this base will mean a 45% increase in capacity at Rabat Airport during the summer of 2026. This expansion will be part of Ryanair’s largest schedule in Morocco to date, with operations at 13 airports across the country and over 10.7 million passengers traveling to, from, and within Moroccan territory.
Furthermore, the investment associated with the new base will generate more than 800 local jobs, including 60 highly paid positions for pilots and cabin crew.
Morocco, a Strategic Market for Ryanair
With the addition of Rabat, Ryanair’s total investment in Morocco exceeds $1.6 billion allocated to its fleet. This commitment supports over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs and contributes to economic growth in 13 cities, including Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, Tetouan, Essaouira, Dakhla, Nador, and Rabat itself.
The airline thus solidifies its presence in the country as one of its strategic markets in the region, relying on an increasingly broad network and a low-cost model focused on tourism and international connectivity.
Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, highlighted the importance of this announcement within the company’s plans for the summer of 2026. He explained that the inauguration of the Rabat base represents a $200 million investment and reinforces the airline’s record schedule, with over 20 operational routes and seven new international connections.
Wilson emphasized that this expansion will boost tourism and improve connectivity, while raising the total investment in Morocco to over $1.6 billion, supporting thousands of jobs and the development of the local tourism economy. He also noted the intention to position Rabat as a leading destination for the summer, highlighting its history, culture, coastline, and welcoming character.
Special Offer to Celebrate the New Base
To mark the announcement of the base in Rabat, Ryanair launched a promotion with fares starting from 319 Moroccan dirhams for travel until May 31st. The offer is already available for booking through the airline’s official app.
This initiative accompanies the beginning of a new chapter for Rabat within Ryanair’s network and reinforces Morocco’s role as one of the key markets in the company’s growth strategy in Southern Europe and North Africa.
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