RYANAIR is expected to open two bases in Morocco only months after a very public falling out between the airline and authorities there over airport charges.
The carrier is on the verge of starting a base at the capital Marrakech and at Fez in the northeast of the country.
It will operate flights from both cities while storing the planes used on site.
Up to now, the planes used to fly there have been based elsewhere. Ryanair currently operates flights between Morocco and the UK and continental Europe. There are no direct flights between Ireland and Morocco, although that may now change.
Yesterday the airline was coy about its plans, saying it “did not comment on rumour or speculation”.
Meanwhile, the European Union Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, said Michael O’Leary’s company would need to make more concessions as it seeks to take over Aer Lingus. Ryanair has twice had bids for Aer Lingus rejected on competition grounds.
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