easyJet Establishes First African Base in Marrakech with Six New Routes for Winter 2026

easyJet launches its first African base in Marrakech, stationing three aircraft and adding routes from Prague, Zurich, and Newcastle for Winter 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Aviation A2Z

Strategic Milestone in North Africa

easyJet has significantly deepened its footprint in North Africa with the launch of its first permanent African base at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). The opening follows a long-term partnership agreement signed with the Moroccan National Tourist Office in late 2025. By stationing three aircraft permanently at the gateway, easyJet has cemented its position as the second-largest airline in Marrakech and the third-largest in Morocco. The move is expected to generate 100 direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions, providing a substantial boost to the regional economy and tourism sector.

Network Expansion and New Winter Routes

Coinciding with the base opening, the airline revealed a major network expansion for the Winter 2026 season. Three new routes to Marrakech from Prague, Newcastle, and Zurich are already available for booking, with flights scheduled to begin in late October and early November 2026. Additionally, easyJet announced three further routes—Nantes to Essaouira, Bordeaux to Agadir, and Birmingham to Agadir—which are slated to go on sale later this spring. These additions will bring the carrier’s total Moroccan network to 58 routes, with 30 specifically serving Marrakech.

Transition to Year-Round Operations

In an effort to provide consistent connectivity, easyJet is converting several formerly seasonal routes into year-round services. Starting in May 2026, flights from Hamburg, Lille, and Strasbourg to Marrakech will operate twice weekly and continue through the winter season. Furthermore, a new link between Geneva and Tangier is set to launch on March 30, 2026. This shift reflects a growing year-round demand for Moroccan destinations among European travelers and supports the airline’s goal of carrying record passenger volumes in the coming year.