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Rabat – Royal Air Maroc’s pledges to accelerate its offer, in addition to Morocco’s rising global aviation sector, could be a source of competitive concern among European stakeholders.
Spanish news outlet ABC published a detailed report outlining Royal Air Maroc’s expansion plan, including its aim to reach a fleet of 200 aircraft in the next decade.
The Moroccan carrier also seeks to extend its offers to 150 destinations worldwide, with the aim of promoting Morocco globally as well as leveraging the expansion of Casablanca’s Mohammed VI Airport.
For ABC, the carrier’s ambition is to transform the airport into a “hub capable of competing with Madrid-Barajas and other major European airports as the gateway to Europe for Africa, North America, South America, and Asia,” ABC reported.
Amine El Farissi, vice president of Royal Air Maroc, told ABC that the carrier plans to make RAM a major rival to major European airlines, citing the “absolutely exceptional location of Casablanca Airport.”
In January, Morocco’s airport authority ONDA said Moroccan airports welcomed 36.6 million passengers in 2025, representing a 11% year-on-year increase.
Casablanca Airport alone surpassed 11 million passengers by December 2025.
Earlier in February, Royal Air Maroc announced its commitment to pledges seeking to expand its offers to Europe.
The company announced that it aims to boost northern Morocco connectivity with new direct flights to Europe, with three additional direct and regular routes that will link Tangier to Malaga, Barcelona, and Madrid.
Other flights will also include regular air routes between Nador and Barcelona, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf.
ABC said Royal Air Maroc is still far from its 2037 target, but it is already competing with European operators as it is a partner in the OneWorld alliance. This partnership allows Royal Air Maroc to share codes on certain routes.
El Farissi cited several offers, including flights to Miami, Washington, and New York, which he said will go on to strengthen.
“We are considering opening operations with Boston,” he said, recalling that the airline will also launch in June the Casablanca-Los Angeles route.
Royal Air Maroc also seeks expansion in Canada.
“But the challenge goes beyond conquering North America,” ABC warned, noting RAM’s plans to expand in Latin America.
El Farissi told ABC that the airline spent a year studying opportunities.
“Our project through 2037 includes opening more destinations in the United States and Latin America,” El Farissi said.
ABC also recalled Royal Air Maroc’s offers in Spain, where the airline offers nine Spanish destinations from five Moroccan airports.
“Across Europe, the airline now flies to more than 40 cities (including Spain), and by 2037 expects to add 73 more, surpassing 100 destinations,” ABC said.
The news outlet also recalled the 2030 World Cup, Morocco co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, stressing how the country’s airline is expected to announce more connections ahead of the tournament.
El Farissi told news outlets that Royal Air Maroc sees potential in different Spanish cities it serves, but launching new routes depends on an assessment of different factors, including the presence of Moroccan or African community in the city, tourism appeal, and the region’s economic attractiveness.
