The low-cost pioneer, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, will operate domestic flights in Morocco for the first time next year, connecting nine cities, while also adding another 24 international routes to eight European countries.

It will add two new aircraft at Tangier airport, which will become the Irish airline's fourth base in Morocco.

Moroccan officials hope to attract 17.5 million tourists by 2026, up from 11 million last year. In 2019, Morocco had 13 million visitors.

"I just think there's huge potential," said Eddie Wilson, the head of Ryanair DAC, the largest airline in the group, noting Morocco's relative lack of seasonality due to the amount of its diaspora that regularly fly home and its growth as an off-season weekend destination for European tourists.

--Reuters--