First International Flight Carrying Moroccan Expats Arrives at Laâyoune Airport

A Royal Air Maroc (RAM) plane arriving from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) and carrying Moroccan expatriates has landed Wednesday afternoon at Hassan I airport in Laâyoune. The arrival of this aircraft marks the resumption of international flights to this airport after months of suspension, due to the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Wearing their face masks, travelers were able to go through customs formalities upon their arrival and recover their luggage in a fluid and orderly manner, while complying with social distancing instructions and other measures. The ONDA has put in place a recovery plan whose main objective is to protect all airport users and staff and ensure that the passengers have a healthy and fluid journey. This system consists of close coordination with all partners at the airports to mobilize sufficient staff at all control points (border, health, inspection..), making it possible to implement social distancing and avoid crowding in the various control areas. At Hassan I airport, the operation was carried out in full compliance with the precautionary measures and the health protocol in force to guarantee a secure and reassuring reception for these passengers, under the supervision of the competent authorities. In statements to MAP, several passengers expressed their gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for His initiative to facilitate the return of Moroccans living abroad to the country at affordable prices, noting that this noble royal gesture reflects the ongoing high solicitude of the Sovereign for the Moroccan expatriates. They also expressed their satisfaction with their return to the motherland, ensuring that the trip took place in good conditions thanks to the efforts of all the authorities and stakeholders in this operation. Based on the positive indicators of the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom and the drop in the number of cases of infections with the new coronavirus, in particular after the expansion of vaccination campaigns, the Moroccan authorities have decided to resume flights from and to the Kingdom as of Tuesday, June 15.