Air China expands access to Marrakech through Istanbul

14:31

By: Azzat Manal

Air China expands access to Marrakech through Istanbul

Air China is expanding its commercial reach in Morocco by adding Marrakech to its codeshare network with Turkish Airlines, giving passengers from China another way to reach the Moroccan tourist destination via Istanbul.

Under the expanded partnership, Air China will place its airline code on Turkish Airlines-operated flights between Istanbul and Marrakech. This means travelers booking through Air China will be able to include Marrakech in itineraries originating in China and connecting through Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub.

The agreement does not involve the launch of a new direct air route between China and Marrakech. Turkish Airlines will remain responsible for operating the flights between Istanbul and the Moroccan city, while Air China will market the available seats under its own code. The arrangement therefore expands the commercial reach of the two carriers without requiring additional aircraft or frequencies on the Istanbul–Marrakech route.

The expanded codeshare agreement, announced on September 18, adds nine destinations to the partnership’s network through Istanbul. Marrakech is joined by cities including Accra, Algiers, Ankara, Cancun, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Mexico City and Tunis.

The cooperation also works in the opposite direction. Turkish Airlines will add its code to selected Air China-operated services linking Beijing with six Chinese cities, including Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen. Both carriers are members of the Star Alliance network, allowing them to broaden their commercial cooperation and offer passengers additional connecting options.

For Marrakech, the agreement provides an additional channel for attracting travelers from the Chinese market. Passengers will be able to book itineraries carrying the Air China code while Turkish Airlines operates the Istanbul–Marrakech segment.

The development comes as air connectivity between Morocco and China continues to expand. Royal Air Maroc resumed direct flights between Casablanca and Beijing in January 2025, operating three weekly services, while cooperation with Chinese carriers has also sought to improve connections between China, Morocco and wider African markets.

The addition of Marrakech to Air China’s codeshare network therefore represents a commercial expansion rather than the creation of a new direct China–Morocco route. By combining Air China’s marketing network with Turkish Airlines’ extensive Istanbul hub, the partnership gives Marrakech another link to the Chinese travel market.