Ryanair invests in Morocco and the Mediterranean region long term

Ryanair will base three aircraft at the bases in  Morocco to avoid delays  which sometimes occured using aircraft flying from Europe as it did previously. This will require an investment of $210 million according to an article in LeMatin.

The airline will  also launched two new routes to Essaouira and Rabat developing  its operations in Morocco to 60 routes serving eight airports. This deployment will reach a volume of 2.5 million passengers per year and generate 2,500 direct jobs.

The  Ryanair bases  in Morocco in 2013 will see the opening of a new base in Fes, with one unit on site, 15 routes, four new roads: Lille, Nantes, Nimes and Saint-Étienne, 88 weekly flights, 600 000 passengers a  year, with6 00 direct jobs.

The base in Marrakesh, with 2 units on site, 22 routes, seven new routes: Baden, Bergerac, Cuneo, Dole, Munich Tours & Vatry 140 flights weekly 1 million passengers a year and 1,000 direct jobs.

 Other routes will be opened in Essaouira with two routes: Brussels and Marseille. Also provided, eight weekly flights and 60,000 passengers a  year. Rabat, there will be three routes: Brussels, Paris and Marseille with 18 weekly flights and 100,000 passengers a year.

Last year Ryanair had threatened to close a number of routes to Morocco over a dispute with the Moroccan Airports authority,ONDA over handling charges and this new investment is a welcome boost for the Vision 2020 plan and the destination of Fes.It is a strong affirmation of confidence in Morocco's ability to grow as a market leader in the Mediterranean.