From Tetouan to Paris, London and Madrid: Royal Air Maroc Launches a Regional Mini-Hub

Morocco to Launch Direct Flights Between Casablanca and Saint Petersburg

Photo Credit : Royal Air Maroc

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) will open a new regional air base at Tetouan–Sania R’mel Airport in spring 2026,
marking a major step in improving air connectivity in northern Morocco. The initiative includes six new
direct European routes and reinforced domestic flights to Casablanca, strengthening links with key tourist markets and the Moroccan diaspora abroad.

Scheduled to begin operations on March 27, 2026, the Tetouan base is being developed in close partnership
with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT). It forms part of RAM’s broader growth strategy, supported by a steadily expanding fleet and the launch of around twenty international routes in recent years.

A Strategic Regional Base for Northern Morocco

According to Royal Air Maroc, the new base aims to meet growing demand for connectivity in the north of the kingdom, while complementing existing services from Tangier. The strategy also aligns with RAM’s long-term vision of positioning Casablanca as a global hub, supported by secondary regional bases across the country.

Royal Air Maroc plans to add at least ten new international routes in 2026 and to expand its fleet from around 60 aircraft today to nearly 200 by 2037. “The opening of this air base in Tetouan fully reflects our commitment to Morocco’s tourism development,” said Hamid Addou, Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc, highlighting its role in connecting northern Morocco with major European source markets.

Six Direct European Routes and Stronger Domestic Links

From March 27, Tetouan will be directly connected to Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, London-Gatwick, Brussels,
Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga. These routes will significantly reduce the need for travelers to transit via Tangier or Casablanca, benefiting both tourists and the large Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) segment.

On the domestic network, Royal Air Maroc will reinforce the Tetouan–Casablanca route with three additional weekly frequencies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, complementing existing flights on Fridays and Sundays. This enhancement will allow smoother connections across RAM’s international network via the Casablanca Mohammed V hub.

Modern Aircraft and Optimized Schedules

All new services will be operated using Embraer 190 aircraft, seating around 100 passengers. Well-suited to regional and niche markets, these jets offer a 2-2 seating configuration with no middle seat, enhancing comfort on short and medium-haul flights.

The announced routes include multiple weekly frequencies to major European capitals and key Spanish cities, as well as optimized schedules designed to facilitate onward connections through Casablanca.

Boosting Tourism and Regional Development

For the ONMT, the Tetouan base fits into a broader strategy aimed at distributing tourism growth more evenly across Morocco. By improving access to the Mediterranean coast and destinations such as Tetouan, Martil and the wider Tangier–Tetouan–Al Hoceima region, the initiative supports sustainable and high-value tourism development.

This regional expansion complements Royal Air Maroc’s wider ambitions for 2026, which include new long-haul routes from Casablanca to destinations such as Los Angeles, Saint Petersburg, Bilbao, Alicante and Pointe-Noire, further reinforcing Morocco’s position as a key air transport hub between Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Source: Airjournal.fr

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