Morocco to reopen to int’l airline traffic

Morocco is to reopen for international commercial flights on February 7, according to an announcement by the government.

According to the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision follows recommendations from the country’s scientific and technical committee based on the state of the COVID-19 situation in the country. A technical committee is currently studying procedures and measures to be taken at border posts and requirements by travellers, to be announced later.

Royal Air Maroc (AT, Casablanca Int’l) on January 31 updated its travel advisory stating its international flights to and from Morocco would remain grounded until midnight on February 6, 2022.

Special outbound repatriation flights will be scheduled between February 1 and February 6, 2022, pending approval from the relevant authorities.

Morocco closed its borders on November 29 as part of the country’s measures to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Other airlines with significant market share in the Moroccan market affected by the suspension include Saudia, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, TUI fly (Belgium), Air Sénégal, and EgyptAir, according to the ch-aviation capacities module.

Meanwhile, a new passenger tax will be imposed on all travellers departing a Moroccan airport after the reopening of international airspace, according to a report by France’s Les Echos, citing Morocco’s Finance Ministry. A levy of MAD100 dirham (USD10.50) on each economy class departure ticket and MAD400 (USD42.39) on each business class ticket will support the tourism industry hard hit by the pandemic. According to the report, the tax was first provided for under a tax directive in 2014.