Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced plans to open its fifth operating base in Morocco in spring 2026, selecting Rabat as its newest foothold in North Africa. The move marks a significant expansion for the airline in the Moroccan capital and underscores its long-term growth ambitions in the region.
The new base, scheduled to launch in April 2026, represents an investment of about $200 million and will see two Boeing 737-800 aircraft stationed. Ryanair plans to operate 20 routes from the airport, including seven new international connections, positioning Rabat as a key growth gateway within its African network.
According to the airline, the expansion will boost Rabat’s summer 2026 capacity by around 45%. The seven new international routes will link the Moroccan capital with Milan Bergamo, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt-Hahn, Nuremberg, Porto, Pisa and Valencia. More than 18 weekly frequencies are planned during the first season of operations, adding approximately 79,000 seats.
Ryanair said the new base will generate more than 800 local jobs, including 60 highly skilled positions for pilots and cabin crew. Speaking at a ceremony at Rabat–Salé Airport attended by Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness described the launch as “an important milestone in our long-term partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco.”
With the addition of Rabat, Ryanair will operate five bases in Morocco, alongside Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier.
For summer 2026, the airline plans to serve 13 Moroccan airports and carry more than 10.7 million passengers to, from and within the country. Total Ryanair investment in Morocco now exceeds $1.6 billion, supporting more than 8,500 jobs across aviation and tourism.
Ryanair’s expansion is expected to intensify competition with local carriers, including Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc, as Morocco continues to pursue an open-skies strategy.
