Ryanair has announced the launch of a new two-aircraft operational base at Rabat Airport from April 2026, marking a major expansion of the airline’s presence in Morocco ahead of the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Rabat base will become Ryanair’s fifth base in Morocco, strengthening low-cost air connectivity across the Kingdom and positioning the capital as a key European-linked summer destination. The airline confirmed it will operate 20 routes in total for summer 2026, including seven new international connections.
The newly announced routes will link Rabat with Milan Bergamo, Baden-Baden, Frankfurt Hahn, Nuremberg, Porto, Pisa, and Valencia, expanding access between Morocco and major European cities.
As part of the expansion, Ryanair will base two aircraft permanently in Rabat, representing an investment of approximately US$200 million. The airline said the move will support more than 800 local jobs, including around 60 highly paid pilot and cabin crew positions, alongside wider indirect employment across tourism, aviation services, and the local economy.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson described the announcement as a significant milestone for both the airline and Morocco’s aviation sector.
“We are delighted to officially launch our new base at Rabat, which represents a US$200 million investment and our fifth Moroccan base,” Wilson said. “This latest base opening is part of our record Summer 2026 schedule, which will see Ryanair operate over 20 routes, including seven new international routes to and from the Kingdom, boosting tourism and connectivity.”
Wilson added that the Rabat expansion builds on Ryanair’s long-term commitment to Morocco.
“Our latest base opening takes Ryanair’s total investment in Morocco to over US$1.6 billion, supporting more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs and delivering sustained growth in the local tourism economy,” he said.
The airline also highlighted Rabat’s potential as an international travel hub, citing its historic landmarks, cultural appeal, Atlantic coastline, and growing tourism infrastructure.
The expansion aligns with Morocco’s broader efforts to scale up transport capacity and tourism ahead of major global events, including the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
With demand for affordable European travel continuing to rise, Ryanair said the Rabat base will play a central role in driving inbound tourism, improving regional connectivity, and supporting economic growth across Morocco.