Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s flag carrier, announced on Tuesday a series of new direct flights linking northern Moroccan cities to key European destinations, a move aimed at strengthening tourism, trade, and human connectivity between the regions.
The airline said the expansion will introduce three direct and regular routes connecting Tangier to Spanish cities Malaga, Barcelona, and Madrid. In addition, Nador will gain direct connections to Barcelona and two German hubs, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf.
“These new routes reflect Royal Air Maroc’s strong commitment to boosting Morocco’s tourism and economic potential while reinforcing its role as a strategic air bridge between Morocco and Europe,” CEO Hamid Addou said in a statement.
The airline noted that the new services are in response to “strong demand” from travelers and businesses seeking improved air access to northern Morocco, an area experiencing growing tourism and investment activity. RAM said the expansion is also part of its broader strategy to position itself as a global carrier.
Expanded European coverage
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The new routes will link Moroccan cities with nine Spanish destinations, including Valencia, Malaga, Sevilla, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Bilbao, Alicante, and the capital cities Madrid and Barcelona. Moroccan hubs connected to these routes include Casablanca, Laayoune, Tangier, Tetouan, and Nador.
RAM said these Spanish connections will collectively provide more than 80 weekly flights, while German routes—connecting Casablanca, Nador, and Oujda with Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Munich—will offer 35 weekly flights.
The airline provided a detailed schedule for the new services:
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- Tangier-Malaga: Mondays and Fridays, starting July 7
- Tangier-Barcelona: Mondays and Fridays, starting July 3
- Tangier-Madrid: Mondays and Saturdays, starting September 7
- Nador-Barcelona: Thursdays and Saturdays, starting September 10
- Nador-Frankfurt: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, starting July 2
- Nador-Düsseldorf: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, starting July 11
Strategic objectives
Addou emphasized that the expansion aims to improve international connectivity while supporting Morocco’s broader tourism strategy. Northern Morocco, including Tangier and Nador, has become a key focus for infrastructure and service investments, with RAM seeking to make these cities more accessible to European travelers.
The airline said that the new routes would facilitate not only leisure travel but also business exchanges, trade, and cultural linkages, strengthening Morocco’s ties with key European markets.
“This network expansion demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality, convenient connections for both residents and international travelers,” the CEO said. “It positions RAM as a central partner in linking Morocco’s growing northern economy with Europe.”
Market implications
Industry analysts said RAM’s expansion will increase competition on European-Moroccan routes, particularly with carriers from Spain and Germany that operate in similar corridors. The added frequency and diversity of destinations are likely to benefit travelers while supporting regional economic development through increased tourism inflows.
The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by Moroccan authorities to boost air travel infrastructure, including airport upgrades and tourism promotion campaigns targeting European markets. RAM’s move complements government initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s role as a North African air hub.
Outlook
Royal Air Maroc plans further network expansion in line with its long-term strategy of global connectivity. With the new Northern Morocco-European services, RAM aims to consolidate its position as a key player linking Europe and North Africa, providing both economic benefits and improved mobility for travelers.
The new routes are expected to begin operations from July and September 2026, with schedules timed to meet peak travel demand and facilitate both business and leisure connections.
