Operation Marhaba - Crossing the Strait: a guide of flights from European cities

Thanks to the efforts made year after year, the connection between Europe and Africa is getting closer and closer. Morocco, a country rich in culture and history, is becoming an increasingly popular tourist and business destination. 

But how do you get to this North African paradise? The answer is simple: fly. In this article we offer you a comprehensive guide to flights from various European cities to Morocco, so you can make the most of your trip and make the most of your business or tourism opportunities in this fascinating country. 

Morocco also offers many options for those looking for unique and authentic experiences. From the ancient capital of Fez to the coastal city of Tangier to the capital Rabat, Morocco is a country that combines tradition with modernity, architecture with gastronomy, history with culture. And Morocco is not only a tourist destination, but also a bridge between two continents and two cultures. 

For those who prefer to fly, we present a guide to flights from different European countries. The study will analyse all the routes from the main airports in the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France and Spain. 

In Spain, it is a mistake to think that the only possibility to fly to Morocco is Madrid-Barajas airport. Barcelona's El Prat airport has destinations in Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat and, especially, Tangier with the airlines Iberia, Vueling and Air Arabia Maroc. If we look at Andalusia, Malaga is well connected to Casablanca and Tangier. Royal Air Maroc, Iberia and Air Arabia Maroc have two or three flights a day at a similar price to Madrid and Barcelona airports.

Gran Canaria and Tenerife South airports also have destinations to Moroccan cities, but with much more limited schedules. From Tenerife, you can only fly to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. Gran Canaria has Binter and Royal Air Maroc flights to Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. They fly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and it is the only Spanish airport with a destination in Agadir.

In the case of France, among its different airports, Paris-Orly and Marseille-Provence airports are particularly recommended. The latter is the most economical option because it has direct and regular Ryanair flights to Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Rabat. The price, excluding baggage, is around 150€ (1602DH), with an increase for destinations such as Agadir and Rabat. If the destination is Casablanca, Royal Air Morocco has scheduled flights, but they are more expensive than the other cities.  

Paris-Orly is the French airport with the widest choice of airlines. Royal Air Maroc, the most expensive of the four options, has a higher frequency of flights to Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. Transavia is the airline to use if your destination is Agadir. If you are travelling to Tangier, Vueling is a good choice for its weekend flights, something that can only be found at Tangier airport or at Marseille airport with Ryanair (although Ryanair only flies on Sunday mornings).  

For those wishing to fly to Casablanca, Charles de Gaulle airport is a good option. Air France and Royal Air Maroc fly regularly, especially in the evenings, at the same price as the Paris Orly options.

From the Belgian and Dutch capitals, Brussels and Amsterdam respectively, you can fly to Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. In the case of Brussels-Zaventem airport, TUI flies to all three cities once a day with the exception of Tangier which has a second flight in the evening. TUI only flies on weekdays, but Transavia and Ryanair have one flight per day on weekends.

If you fly from Dutch Schipnol airport, going to Marrakech instead of Casablanca can save around 100€ (1068DH). Like Brussels, there is one flight per day, but it has a larger number of airlines such as Easyjet, Air Arabia Maroc and Royal Air Maroc as well as Transavia.  

In Italy, Naples has generally cheaper flights than Rome-Fiumicino airport, but both cities have destinations only to Casablanca and Marrakech. The latter is notably cheaper as Naples has the option of flying with Ryanair and Rome with Wizz Air Malta.