Rabat Urges Royal Air Maroc to Expedite Fleet Growth for Tourism

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), based in Casablanca Mohamed V, is being urged by Rabat to accelerate its fleet expansion to 200 aircraft by 2037. A recent parliamentary committee report calls for a reassessment of the management and economic model of the state-owned airline, pointing out that the current air connectivity does not align with Morocco’s national tourism strategy.

The report highlights the limitations of Morocco’s domestic airline network and the insufficient size of RAM’s fleet as significant barriers to tourism growth. Local media, including Canal 13 Maroc, Rabat Today, Hespress, and Assahifa, have published these findings. Despite the presence of three local airlines and various international carriers, over 85% of passenger traffic is concentrated in just five airports. Outdated airport infrastructure and limited air routes, particularly to emerging markets like China, are further hindering tourism.

Emphasizing the importance of air transport in advancing the national tourism strategy and Morocco’s global presence, especially in Africa, the report calls for a comprehensive review of Royal Air Maroc’s model. The objective is to enhance its international competitiveness, ensure long-haul connectivity, and support the tourism sector. Key recommendations include rapidly expanding RAM’s fleet, considering increased aircraft leasing, boosting domestic competition through low-cost carriers, and improving airport infrastructure and logistics. These measures aim to enhance air connectivity and better support Morocco’s tourism and economic ambitions.

In April, Royal Air Maroc launched a much-anticipated tender for new aircraft, although specific details were not disclosed. The initial plan was to release the request for proposals (RFP) by the end of 2023, which was later rescheduled to January 2024. RAM’s CEO, Abdelhamid Addou, previously told ch-aviation that the tender would cover all 200 aircraft, addressing both fleet replacements and future growth. This would involve a mix of firm orders with options, outright acquisitions, and dry leases.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Canal 13 Maroc, ch-aviation.com