Minister: 'Open Skies' deal limits int'l flights at Al Hoceima airport

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics stated that the limitation of international flights at Al Hoceima's Cherif Al Idrissi airport is linked to the 'Open Skies' agreement signed between Morocco and the EU in 2006, which liberalizes air transport and makes the opening of new routes subject to commercial profitability.
This was in the response of Minister Abdel Samad Qayouh to a written question from MP Abdelhak Amghar.
The minister explained that the agreement allows any Moroccan or European airline to operate direct flights without restrictions, provided there is economic viability.
In 2025, the airport was connected to five international destinations (Rotterdam, Brussels, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Antwerp), recording over 106,000 international passengers, up 16% from 2024.
Domestic flights to Casablanca also exist.
The minister stressed that the ministry cannot subsidize international flights due to legal obligations, but the Moroccan National Tourist Office can support promotion through joint marketing contracts.
He invited airlines to operate new routes to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Spain, assuring ministerial support.