Illustration of an Air Arabia airline, here departing from Basel Mulhouse airport.

-

S. Bozon / AFP

A paradox.

While President Emmanuel Macron announced a new confinement and a closure of the borders, Rennes airport was living a historic moment by announcing the opening of a regular link to Africa.

As of December 18, Air Arabia will operate two weekly flights to and from Casablanca, Morocco.

The small Rennes airport had never been linked to the Maghreb.

“There have been a few charter flights and freight, but never regular passenger transport,” assures Fanny Charles, responsible for the development of the airport.

" That's excellent news.

We needed this link to Africa.

We had sought to obtain a line to Tunis a few years ago but it had not been done ”, estimates Hervé Cavalan, president of the Association for the development of Rennes-Brittany airport (ADARB).

"A strong potential from Brittany"

Interested in the Moroccan market for years, the platform had initiated discussions with several companies.

“We have been discussing with Air Arabia for two years.

We know that there is strong potential at the start of Brittany and we have convinced them ”.

In addition to bringing together families from the Maghreb living in the West, the air link should also win over business customers hitherto forced to go to Paris to travel to Africa.

Flights are offered from 63 euros one way by the Moroccan low cost company and will be carried out every Monday and Friday.

The duration of the flight is estimated at two hours and forty-five.

Economy

Coronavirus: Already in bad shape before the crisis, regional airports threatened by the lasting decline in air traffic

Society

Rennes: Alone on board… A charter plane chartered from London for a Sudanese refugee

  • Trip

  • Maghreb

  • Plane

  • Airline company

  • Morocco

  • Africa

  • Airport

  • France

  • Reindeer