Royal Air Maroc inaugurates Casablanca-Essaouira route at 400 dirhams
Royal Air Maroc has inaugurated a new direct flight route between Casablanca and Essaouira, with service beginning November 1, 2026. The route will operate twice weekly with a fixed, subsidized fare of 400 dirhams for economy class. This development aims to improve domestic connectivity and support the tourism sector in the Marrakech-Safi region.
Establishing the Casablanca-Essaouira connection
The service was formally inaugurated on October 28, 2026, in Essaouira. The flights will link the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca with Essaouira, operating specifically on Wednesdays and Sundays.
For travelers, the schedule is fixed to ensure consistency. On Wednesdays, the flight departs Casablanca at 16:00 and arrives in Essaouira at 17:20, with the return leg departing at 18:00 and landing back in Casablanca at 19:20. The Sunday flight leaves Casablanca at 08:20, arriving in Essaouira at 09:40, before departing the coastal city at 10:20 to reach Casablanca at 11:40.
Low fares democratize domestic air travel in Morocco
The 400-dirham price point represents a strategic move to democratize domestic air travel within Morocco. Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh stated that this initiative aligns with the Royal Air Maroc strategy for 2030, which prioritizes strengthening connections between Casablanca and various provinces across the Kingdom. The airline has already implemented similar routes to cities including Dakhla, Laâyoune, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Errachidia, Tan-Tan, and Boulemane.
André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI and President-founder of the Association Essaouira-Mogador, emphasized that the route is intended to bolster the city’s standing as a cultural destination. He noted the importance of highlighting the city’s history and civilization to a broader audience. By integrating Essaouira into the broader Royal Air Maroc network, the airline aims to provide travelers from 86 international destinations served by the Casablanca hub easier access to the coastal region.
New aircraft will reduce flight times
Operational efficiency is expected to improve as Royal Air Maroc integrates new, high-performance jet aircraft into its fleet. Minister Kayouh indicated that these technical upgrades are designed to reduce the flight time between the two cities to under 30 minutes. This shift is part of a broader push to modernize regional transport infrastructure.
The inauguration ceremony included key figures such as the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social Economy, Jalal Charaf, and the governor of the province of Essaouira, Mohammed Rachid. Their attendance shows the project is part of the government's wider economic and territorial integration strategy.