Airbus Targets Royal Air Maroc’s Boeing Fleet Renewal With A220 Bid
Royal Air Maroc is close to finalizing a major fleet renewal deal with Boeing, but Airbus is seeking to gain a rare foothold with a smaller order for 20 A220 aircraft, according to industry sources. The Moroccan flag carrier has been negotiating for over a year to modernize its predominantly Boeing fleet and is expected to announce significant orders for 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliners at the upcoming Paris Air Show.
Bloomberg reports the Boeing portion may include up to two dozen 787s and as many as 50 737 MAX jets. While the deal reinforces Royal Air Maroc’s long-standing partnership with Boeing, sources say the addition of A220s would mark Airbus’ first direct order with the airline in nearly 25 years. Royal Air Maroc last ordered Airbus jets in 2001, purchasing four A321s.
The Airbus breakthrough coincides with improving diplomatic ties between France and Morocco, following President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. However, any final Airbus agreement may also depend on negotiations over flight rights for French carriers.
Royal Air Maroc CEO Abdelhamid Addou previously confirmed fleet expansion plans to meet rising demand as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. The airline aims to quadruple its fleet within a decade while Morocco doubles airport capacity to 78 million passengers annually.
Boeing remains deeply embedded in Morocco’s growing aerospace industry, while French companies are looking to expand their presence amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Airbus, Boeing, and Royal Air Maroc have declined to comment.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com