Air Arabia Maroc: Tetouan-Bilbao air connection
On 18 May, Air Arabia Maroc, the Moroccan subsidiary of the Emirates parent company Air Arabia, will start operating direct flights to Bilbao from its base in the Moroccan city of Tetouan. From then on, it will be possible to fly every Saturday until 26 October.
With the opening of this new air route of the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and North Africa, Spanish-Moroccan relations are strengthened.
Flights to the peninsula will depart from Tetouan at 6:00 am, landing in Bilbao at 8:40 am. The return flight to the African continent is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. with arrival at 10:10 a.m.
What are the interests between these locations? The airline itself points out that the historic centre of Tetouan, the so-called "white dove" of Morocco, has been declared a World Heritage Site. The place reflects the Spanish influence, specifically from Andalusia, combined with Moroccan style, in architecture, art and cuisine. On the other hand, about Bilbao, the attraction of the place is emphasised by the combination of tradition and the avant-garde in places such as the Guggenheim Museum.
Of course, pointing out the cultural richness of both regions reflects a clear motivation for a solid union between the two cultures, but that is not the only aspiration. Increasing tourism is a fundamental pillar.
The aim is to increase tourism in both regions. Hence the need to provide an accessible, fast and comfortable way to travel between the territories. They firmly believe that a good tourism experience is fundamental to boosting the economy of both countries.
The air link comes at a strategic moment in the relationship between Spain and Morocco. Aviation will be a useful tool to strengthen bilateral communication between the two countries.
The flights, which are expected to be in high demand by passengers, can already be booked.
This is not the first air route that the Moroccan airline has established with Spain. A few months ago it announced that it would operate flights, which are currently in operation, to a number of European cities, including Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga.
Air Arabia Maroc has six bases in Morocco, located in Casablanca, Fez, Nador, Tangier, Oujda and Tetouan. From these bases, a modern fleet of short and medium-haul Airbus A320 aircraft operates more than 60 routes by air.
The tourism industry is an important factor for Spain and Morocco and the two countries, aware of this, are working to promote it through this type of strategy.
