China Eastern Airlines Group, via its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines, will launch an air route between Shanghai and Casablanca on January 19, Chinese media report.
The long-haul flight will operate three times a week (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday), linking Shanghai-Pudong international Airport to Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, with a layover in Marseilles.
Flights from Shanghai will depart at 1:55 a.m. local time and land in Casablanca at 1:10 p.m. local time, according to Shine, a website belonging to Shanghai Daily, the largest English-language newspaper in Eastern China.
Departures from Casablanca will take place at 5:10 p.m. (local time) for arrival in Shanghai the following day at 4:50 p.m. (local time), the same source added.
These flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft with a capacity of 285 seats, including 26 in business class.
The timing of the route’s launch comes at a convenient time in the run-up to the Chinese New Year, usually celebrated between late January and mid-February.
Rabat and Beijing’s relations have particularly strengthened since Morocco decided in 2016 to exempt Chinese nationals from visa formalities, making the country a popular destination for travelers.