Air China adds Marrakech to its network without flying its planes there
Air China will now market the Istanbul–Marrakech route under its own code through an expanded agreement with Turkish Airlines. The Chinese airline is thus adding the Moroccan city to its network without opening a direct flight to the kingdom.
The agreement was unveiled this Friday, September 18, by Aviation Week. Air China will place its code on flights operated by Turkish Airlines between Istanbul and Marrakech.
In practical terms, the aircraft serving Marrakech will remain those of Turkish Airlines. Air China will nevertheless be able to sell these flights under its own number and incorporate them into itineraries connecting its Chinese network to the Moroccan city, with a connection in Istanbul.
This extension therefore creates neither a new direct connection between China and Marrakech nor additional air capacity. It does, however, open a new marketing channel for Chinese travelers using Air China.
On Bladi.net : Morocco Expands Air Links with China, Anticipating Tourism Boost
The agreement works both ways. Turkish Airlines will place its code on Air China flights between Beijing and six Chinese cities: Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen. The two airlines, both members of Star Alliance, are thus expanding the destinations they can offer their customers without operating each route themselves.
Marrakech among nine destinations opened to Air China
Marrakech is among nine destinations added to Air China’s commercial network via Istanbul. The others are Accra, Algiers, Ankara, Cancún, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Mexico City and Tunis. The ochre city is the only destination in the kingdom concerned by this new extension.
The operation mainly strengthens Marrakech’s access to the Chinese market. A traveler may be directed toward an itinerary sold by Air China to Morocco, even if the final part of the journey is operated by Turkish Airlines.
This new gateway complements the services already available between the two countries. Royal Air Maroc re-established its direct connection between Casablanca and Beijing in January 2025, with three flights per week. The Moroccan carrier has also begun cooperation with China Southern Airlines to expand connections between China and Africa.
On Bladi.net : article 52212
Until now, Marrakech had been served from Istanbul solely under the commercial identity of Turkish Airlines. The route was initially launched with five weekly rotations before becoming more prominent in the Turkish airline’s Moroccan network.
The new development announced on September 18 is therefore commercial rather than operational: Air China does not yet fly its planes to Marrakech, but can now include the city in its own network and offer Morocco to its passengers under its code.