SWORDS- Ryanair (FR) is expanding its Morocco network for the northern winter 2026-27 season with new services from Rabat Airport (RBA), Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) and Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA).
The expansion further strengthens the airline’s position as European low cost carriers continue to increase competition with Royal Air Maroc (AT), Morocco’s national carrier.
The airline will add 17 routes, increase winter capacity by 580,000 seats, and operate with 16 based aircraft across Morocco, including two aircraft stationed at its Rabat Airport base, which opened in April.
OAG data also shows Ryanair has become Morocco’s largest international airline by scheduled capacity, while Royal Air Maroc continues to lead the domestic market.
Ryanair 17 New Winter Routes
Ryanair is expanding its footprint across Morocco during the northern winter 2026-27 season by adding new international routes and increasing capacity throughout the country.
The new services include flights from Rabat to Stockholm and Krakow, from Marrakesh to Wroclaw, and from Agadir to Milan, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdansk. Following the expansion, Ryanair’s winter network will connect 13 Moroccan airports with destinations across 14 countries.
The airline plans to add approximately 580,000 seats during the winter season, representing a 12% increase compared with the previous winter schedule. The operation will be supported by 16 aircraft based in Morocco, including two aircraft allocated to the airline’s new Rabat base, which officially opened in April.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said Morocco has become one of the airline’s fastest growing and most important markets.
He added that the record winter schedule will improve year round connectivity, support inbound tourism from across Europe, encourage regional economic development and contribute to Morocco’s tourism strategy ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
According to Aviation Week, the expansion reflects the broader acceleration of Morocco’s aviation market, where both network airlines and European low cost carriers continue to increase capacity.
Morocco’s Airline Capacity Continues to Expand
OAG Schedules Analyser data shows Morocco is expected to offer approximately 14.3 million scheduled departure seats during summer 2026.
This represents an increase of 8.6% compared with approximately 13.1 million seats during summer 2025, highlighting continued growth in passenger demand and airline activity.
The accompanying market data also shows that Royal Air Maroc remains Morocco’s largest airline by total seat capacity despite a gradual decline in market share since summer 2023.
During the same period, Ryanair has steadily increased its share, reflecting its continued network expansion across the country.
When combining capacity from Ryanair and Ryanair UK, the airline group is scheduled to offer approximately 3.8 million departure seats during summer 2026. This represents a year over year increase of 10.7%.
The group’s overall market share is projected to increase from 26.2% during summer 2025 to 26.7% in summer 2026, remaining behind Royal Air Maroc, which is expected to hold a 31.1% share.
Royal Air Maroc Maintains Domestic Leadership
Royal Air Maroc continues to lead Morocco’s domestic aviation market through its extensive internal network.
The airline accounts for approximately 65.4% of domestic scheduled capacity, well ahead of Ryanair, which holds an 18.2% share following its entry into Morocco’s domestic market in 2024. Air Arabia Maroc ranks third with an estimated 11.4% share of domestic capacity.
Although Royal Air Maroc remains the dominant domestic airline, Ryanair continues to strengthen its presence by expanding both domestic and international operations.
Morocco’s Largest International Airline
Ryanair is expected to account for approximately 27.9% of Morocco’s international departure seats during summer 2026, making it the country’s largest international airline by scheduled capacity.
Royal Air Maroc follows closely with a 26.2% share of international capacity.
Other European low cost carriers are also expanding in Morocco. Combining its French and Dutch operations, Transavia ranks as Morocco’s third largest airline by scheduled capacity with a 7.9% market share, while EasyJet holds approximately 7.3%.
The growing presence of European low cost carriers reflects increasing demand for affordable travel between Morocco and key European markets.
New Winter Routes
Most of Ryanair’s 17 planned winter route additions will operate without direct airline competition, allowing the carrier to expand into underserved markets.
Three routes will face existing competitors. The Agadir to Milan Malpensa service and the Marrakesh to Sofia route will compete with Wizz Air. The Marrakesh to Birmingham route is already served by EasyJet and Jet2.
OAG data also shows that six of the eight routes introduced from Rabat during summer 2026 are continuing into their first winter season rather than representing completely new airport pairs. This indicates Ryanair is converting successful summer services into year round operations.
Overall, seven of the airline’s 17 winter additions are entirely new nonstop routes.
Morocco Invests in Airport Expansion
Morocco is supporting future aviation growth through a 38 billion dirham, approximately $4 billion, airport investment program running through 2030.
The program includes expanding Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) from an annual capacity of 9 million passengers to 16 million passengers. Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) will increase annual capacity from 3 million to 7 million passengers.
Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) in Casablanca is also scheduled to receive a new passenger terminal and an additional runway, strengthening the country’s ability to accommodate growing international traffic and long term tourism demand.
The airport expansion program aligns with Morocco’s broader aviation growth strategy and is expected to support increasing airline capacity, stronger international connectivity and rising visitor numbers in the years leading to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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