Royal Air Maroc has announced exciting plans to launch new seasonal flights between London Stansted and Casablanca this summer. This new route will operate thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from June 24 to September 14, 2025. The carrier will deploy its Boeing 737-800 aircraft on this route, with the flight taking approximately three hours and 20 minutes. Flights will leave Casablanca at 03:00 AM, arriving at Stansted at 06:20 AM, and the return leg will depart London at 07:25 AM, landing back in Casablanca at 10:45 AM.
This move enhances Royal Air Maroc’s existing year-round services to Casablanca from major UK airports such as Gatwick and Heathrow. It also marks the return of its Manchester-Casablanca route, which was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. With no other carriers currently offering nonstop flights between the UK and Morocco’s largest city, this development is expected to significantly bolster travel options. Ciaran Brannigan, London Stansted’s commercial director, expressed enthusiasm for the new service, stating, "Of all the airports in all the towns in all the world, Royal Air Maroc chose London Stansted for its new direct service to Casablanca, a decision we are truly delighted about." He pointed out how this service would provide passengers with more choice and convenience for travel to North Africa.
Meanwhile, this weekend, Casablanca plays host to the Casablanca Fighting Championship 2025, which is part of the SNK World Championship tour for King of Fighters 15. This exciting event features notable players, including TM|Arslan Ash and MDJS|Frezzer, among others, competing for qualifying spots. Alongside this, the championship includes brackets for Samurai Shodown and the beta of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, tracking the growth and engagement of gaming culture within the city.
Turning to the local football scene, February 23 saw intense matches play out during the Botola Pro D1, Morocco’s elite football league. The much-anticipated clash between AS FAR and Raja de Casablanca left fans disappointed due to below-par performances from both sides, especially with local fans excluded from the stadium, which dampened the atmosphere. AS FAR stands fourth with 38 points, with Raja remaining seventh at 32 points. Local supporters had high hopes for this match, anticipating excitement, but it failed to deliver. The frustration was palpable, especially for the managers, with Alexander Santos of AS FAR still seeking his first victory.
While sports and travel occupy headlines, Casablanca's urban development continues to draw attention for its significant impacts on local communities. The push for modernization and tourism has resulted in the displacement of many artisans, particularly evident with the dismantling of the Oulja craft complex. Once thriving with local craftsmanship, Oulja has been reduced to rubble, making way for new hotel developments. "Sorry, I don’t wish to talk about it," lamented one artisan when confronted about their losses.
Younes, another displaced artisan, voiced concern about their future, stating, "This is very worrying, as we have no place to make more products. This is all I have left to sell and I don’t think it will last even one year." Their situation is reflective of the broader issues facing local businesses, as rapidly growing urban developments continue to change the fabric of Casablanca.
Among these troubling developments is the Zenata eco-city project, which was launched to provide modern housing but has come at the cost of displacing long-term residents. One local resident, Rachida, expressed her despair over losing her family home, sharing, "The money they gave us is not even enough to buy a small house, they violated us." Her case highlights the emotional and financial toll these policies have on individuals who have spent years building their communities.
Adding to the anxiety surrounding urbanization, Idir, another resident, remarked on the negative environmental impacts of recent developments like the Marchica Lake project, observed saying, "The whole project is a disaster. The new builds along the waterfront are dumping waste…"
The rapid transformation of Casablanca exemplifies the challenges faced as Morocco seeks to position itself as a tourist-friendly destination, especially following its impressive display during the FIFA World Cup. But as government projects roll out, the plight of local communities often goes unnoticed. Successful urban development must incorporate the voices of those it affects, ensuring the benefits of growth are equitably shared.