Thursday, May 29, 2025
Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Turkey have long served as the cornerstone of PLAY Airlines’ sun-seeking leisure network, and now the Icelandic low-cost carrier is expanding its winter offerings with the launch of a new direct flight to Agadir, Morocco. Starting December 19, 2025, the weekly service from Keflavik Airport adds Agadir as the sixteenth destination in PLAY’s growing portfolio of warm-weather getaways, joining the likes of Split, Antalya, and multiple cities across Spain and Portugal. This move deepens the airline’s strategic presence in North Africa following its successful entry into Marrakech and is backed by its ongoing collaboration with the Moroccan National Tourist Office. With the new route perfectly timed for Christmas, New Year, and Easter travel, PLAY is set to meet rising demand from Nordic and transatlantic travelers seeking sunny escapes during the colder months.
PLAY Airlines Launches Direct Flights from Iceland to Agadir as Part of Its Expanding Winter Tourism Push
Iceland’s low-cost carrier PLAY is continuing its strategic expansion into sun-soaked destinations with the announcement of a new direct route connecting Keflavik International Airport, near Reykjavík, to Agadir, a prominent coastal city in Morocco. The service is scheduled to launch on December 19, 2025, and will operate once weekly on Fridays through mid-April 2026, targeting the winter holiday travel season, including key periods such as Christmas, New Year, and Easter.
The non-stop flight will take approximately five and a half hours, offering Icelanders and travelers transiting through Iceland a convenient gateway to the warmth and charm of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The introduction of this route marks PLAY’s second destination in Morocco, building on the success of its Reykjavik-Marrakech connection, which was inaugurated in October 2024.
Agadir, known for its wide sandy beaches, upscale resorts, golf courses, and year-round sunshine, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades, leisure facilities, and tourism development initiatives aimed at enhancing visitor experiences. Modern seafront promenades, cultural attractions, and a variety of outdoor activities have helped Agadir emerge as a favorite winter escape for European travelers seeking sun and sea.
The launch of the Agadir service is a strategic move that expands PLAY’s rapidly growing leisure network. With this addition, the Icelandic carrier now offers sixteen holiday-focused destinations across Southern Europe and North Africa. The network spans eight Spanish destinations, four Portuguese hotspots, the scenic coastal city of Split in Croatia, Antalya in Turkey, and now a second Moroccan addition, underscoring the airline’s dedication to providing cost-effective travel options. and accessible options for winter sun seekers.
PLAY’s expansion into Morocco began with its direct route between Reykjavík and Marrakech, launched on October 17, 2024. This twice-weekly service, operating on Thursdays and Sundays, was developed in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT). The collaboration aimed to position Iceland as a viable transit hub for Moroccan-bound travelers from both Europe and North America, taking advantage of the airline’s strategic geographic location and growing transatlantic reach.
Through its hub in Reykjavik, PLAY connects travelers from five major North American cities—New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Toronto—to a wide range of European and African destinations. This setup allows passengers from across the Atlantic to take advantage of smooth transfers and affordable fares to popular vacation spots, including those in Morocco.
The partnership between PLAY and ONMT is part of Morocco’s broader effort to tap into emerging tourism markets in the Nordics and beyond. Iceland, with its rising outbound travel numbers and increasing appetite for off-season holidays, has been identified as a strategic market for Moroccan tourism growth. The country’s position as a mid-point between North America and mainland Europe enhances its value as a gateway for long-haul and mid-haul travel.
To reinforce this strategic direction, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) introduced a promotional campaign called “The Light Tour,” which took place from May 27 to 30, 2024. Designed to spotlight Moroccan destinations, the initiative focused on boosting interest and engagement among Scandinavian travel professionals and key tourism influencers. More than 150 tourism professionals from across the region participated in the event, underscoring the strong interest in expanding collaboration between Moroccan destinations and Nordic markets.
Agadir’s inclusion in PLAY’s network not only benefits travelers but also aligns with the broader tourism strategies of both Iceland and Morocco. For Icelandic tourists, the new route offers a much-needed escape from long, harsh winters to warmer, beach-lined coastlines. For Morocco, it unlocks access to a high-potential visitor base, with the potential to boost hotel occupancy, local business revenues, and broader tourism infrastructure development.
As PLAY continues its aggressive expansion strategy, it has clearly prioritized leisure travelers looking for affordable, direct connections to culturally rich and climate-friendly destinations. The airline’s ability to balance cost-efficiency with route diversity has helped it gain traction in the competitive European aviation market.
PLAY’s focus on warm-weather getaways during colder months makes destinations like Agadir particularly attractive. With tourism rebounding globally post-pandemic, and with European carriers diversifying their winter offerings, PLAY is capitalizing on a key market opportunity—especially for northern travelers craving sunshine without long-haul fares.
Furthermore, the airline’s presence in Morocco strengthens its competitive advantage over legacy carriers that often focus on hub-to-hub traffic. By offering direct links to leisure destinations, PLAY enhances its appeal to both spontaneous travelers and organized tour segments.
The Reykjavik-Agadir route is expected to draw interest from a mix of solo travelers, families, digital nomads, and retirees looking for extended seasonal stays. Agadir’s reputation for safety, hospitality, and affordability only adds to the destination’s appeal.
Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Turkey continue to anchor PLAY Airlines’ leisure network as the carrier expands its winter sun portfolio with a new direct route to Agadir, Morocco. The service strengthens PLAY’s presence in North Africa and caters to growing demand for affordable warm-weather getaways.
With this new addition, PLAY Airlines reinforces its role not just as a budget-friendly carrier, but as a key player connecting the North Atlantic to vibrant destinations across the Mediterranean and North Africa.
