Now, Morocco Strengthens Ties with Spain: New Direct Flight Between Essaouira and Barcelona Boosts Tourism ✈️

Essaouira, July 4, 2025 – In a significant move to deepen ties between Morocco and Spain, Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling Airlines has inaugurated a brand-new direct route linking Barcelona with Essaouira. The inaugural service landed at Essaouira‑Mogador International Airport on July 3, initiating twice-weekly flights that promise to reshape the coastal city’s tourism landscape.

🚀 A Milestone in Air Connectivity

Essaouira’s airport, a gateway to its historic medina and Atlantic shores, has experienced a remarkable 28 % increase in passenger traffic during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This new connection from Barcelona—and upcoming routes to Nantes and Seville—reflects a strategic push to integrate Essaouira more fully into the European travel network.

A commemorative ceremony at the airport saw tourism and airline officials, including Abdelmounaim Aoutoul, director of Esseouira Airport, celebrating the milestone. Aoutoul emphasized the route’s significance, noting its role in accelerating the city’s rising popularity as an international destination.

🌍 Strengthening Cultural and Economic Links

The Barcelona–Essaouira connection directly links Catalonia—a key tourism feeder market—to Morocco’s “Windy City.” This is expected to boost cultural exchange and holiday travel between the countries. Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its medieval waterfront, annual Gnaoua music festival and surf-ready beaches. The direct route simplifies travel logistics for European visitors and opens the city to a broader global audience.

Local tourism stakeholders, including Redouane Khane of the Provincial Tourism Council, project a meaningful rise in Spanish and wider-European visitor numbers. Improved connectivity is anticipated to bring ripple effects to hotels, restaurants, and cultural businesses in the region.

📈 Economic Impact & Future Outlook

The route aligns perfectly with Morocco’s national aim to diversify its tourism economy beyond traditional hotspots like Marrakech and Casablanca. Increasing air links to secondary cities is projected to spread economic benefits more evenly and reduce regional disparities.

Looking ahead, Essaouira aims to further expand its international connections. Planned launches to French cities such as Nantes (July) and Seville aim to cement its position as a year-round tourism hub.

In summary:

• Operator: Vueling Airlines
• Service: Twice-weekly direct flights between Barcelona and Essaouira
• Highlights: 28% + airport traffic growth in early 2025; commercial ceremony held
• Next steps: Further routes to Nantes and Seville planned later in 2025

The Barcelona–Essaouira route marks a new era of connectivity, offering a streamlined gateway for Spanish travelers and reinforcing the ever-growing partnership between Morocco and Spain.