In a significant move to enhance internal air connectivity and boost the economic and tourism appeal of Essaouira, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdel Samad Kayouh, officially launched a new air route linking Casablanca and Essaouira on Wednesday. This initiative, spearheaded by RAM Express, a subsidiary of Royal Air Maroc, is part of broader efforts to strengthen air transport within the Kingdom and stimulate investment in the region.
The inauguration ceremony took place at Essaouira-Mogador Airport and was attended by key dignitaries, including André Azoulay, advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and several other prominent figures such as Jellal Cherif, Minister of Tourism, and local officials. This project represents a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Marrakech-Safi Region, and Royal Air Maroc, all aimed at improving air travel accessibility for both residents and visitors.
The newly established air route is set to offer two weekly round-trip flights at a subsidized and fixed fare of 400 dirhams for economy class. This pricing facilitates access for Moroccan citizens, economic stakeholders, and international tourists, ensuring a regular and affordable air travel option. The new service will connect Essaouira to the national and international networks through Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, significantly reducing travel time from approximately six hours by road to less than an hour by air.
During the inauguration, Minister Kayouh emphasized that the launch of the direct flight service aligns with the royal vision behind the "Airports 2030" initiative, which aims to enhance air connectivity between Casablanca and various Moroccan cities. He highlighted the goal of democratizing air travel at reasonable prices, reiterating that the fare for this new route is set at 400 dirhams for economy class.
Kayouh further noted that this air link serves to open up Royal Air Maroc to various airports, thereby encouraging tourism traffic. He mentioned the upcoming receipt of new-generation jet aircraft by RAM, which is expected to reduce the flight duration between the two cities to under 30 minutes.
Additionally, the new service is one of several routes benefiting from the partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Royal Air Maroc, which also includes connections from Casablanca to destinations such as Ouarzazate, Zagora, Errachidia, Tan-Tan, and Guelmim.
In his remarks, advisor André Azoulay pointed out that this air connection will promote tourism in Essaouira as well as throughout Morocco, stating, "Thank God we have come a long way." He articulated that the link between Essaouira and Casablanca sends a significant message to the world, showcasing the city’s rich history and cultural heritage that it is eager to share.
Moreover, Younes Adbibha, the regional tourism delegate in Essaouira, stressed that the inauguration of this Casablanca-Essaouira flight cements the city’s status as a premier tourist destination, linking it to the broader internal market and several international destinations from Mohammed V Airport.
Adbibha emphasized that this direct air route will greatly facilitate the movement of tourists arriving at Mohammed V Airport, allowing them to reach Essaouira in less than an hour, transforming a journey that previously took around six hours by road.
As reported by hespress.com.
