Morocco expands summer 2026 air capacity with 8.2 million seats

Monday 13 July 2026 - 10:33

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco expands summer 2026 air capacity with 8.2 million seats

Morocco is significantly expanding its air transport capacity for the summer 2026 season, reinforcing its ambition to become a leading aviation hub connecting Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. The new seasonal program is designed to meet growing passenger demand while facilitating travel for Moroccans living abroad and supporting the country's tourism sector.

The summer schedule will offer approximately 8.2 million seats, representing a 23% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The expansion reflects continued investment in Morocco's aviation infrastructure and growing international demand for flights to and from the Kingdom.

The program will connect Morocco with 86 international destinations through a fleet of 67 aircraft, with additional aircraft expected to join operations during the season. The strategy aims to strengthen the national carrier's operational capacity while reducing reliance on leased aircraft.

Europe remains the airline's largest market, with more than 3 million seats allocated to European destinations, an increase of around 22% compared with last summer. The additional capacity is intended to accommodate the annual influx of Moroccans residing abroad, many of whom travel to the Kingdom during the summer holidays, while also supporting inbound tourism.

Morocco is also expanding its presence across the African continent, where available capacity will exceed 1.8 million seats, marking a 36% increase year over year. The move supports the country's long-term strategy of positioning Casablanca as a major gateway linking Africa with Europe and other international markets.

Services to Asia and the Middle East will also grow, with more than 524,000 seats available on routes serving destinations such as China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, routes connecting Morocco with the Americas will provide approximately 723,000 seats, strengthening long-haul connections with countries including the United States, Canada, and Brazil.

Domestic air travel will also benefit from the expansion. Around 1.2 million seats will be available on internal routes, an increase of 18% compared with the previous summer, supporting regional mobility and encouraging domestic tourism.

The operational plan will maintain overnight flights to Europe and daytime services to Africa through Casablanca, improving flight connectivity, reducing transfer times, and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

According to Royal Air Maroc Chief Executive Officer Hamid Addou, the expanded summer program represents another step in the airline's modernization strategy. The initiative is intended to improve service quality, expand the carrier's international network, and reinforce Morocco's role as a strategic aviation hub linking multiple continents.

The expansion comes as Morocco continues investing in transport infrastructure and prepares to host major international events in the coming years. With rising tourist arrivals and increasing demand from the Moroccan diaspora, the country's aviation sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting economic growth, tourism, trade, and international connectivity.