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Rabat – Royal Air Maroc has started implementing plans as part of its 2023-2037 program finalized in a contract that was signed with the government on Tuesday.
CEO of the national carrier Abdelhamid Addou gave a press conference on Wednesday, outlining the details of the program and its long and short-term objectives.
One of the key points included in the program is Royal Air Maroc‘s ambition to increase the number of airplanes in its fleet from 50 to 200.
Addou said the plan to increase the company’s fleet is already ongoing, as the company ordered 10 aircraft, including seven Boeing 737 Max for medium-haul destinations.
The number of aircraft secured is in addition to three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners that are under negotiation.
In addition to resources the carrier needs, Royal Air Maroc also aims to transition to become a global carrier instead of operating regionally.
Addou said the company can achieve this ambition only through a higher rate of growth, by operating a North-South and East-West transcontinental hub, in addition to a new point-to-point approach and a transversal national network.
By 2037, Royal Air Maroc aims to have 200 aircraft, which will enable it to operate in 143 destinations, with a turnover estimated at 94 billion dirhams while serving 31.6 million passengers.
The company currently operates in 44 countries and 99 destinations with its operating fleet which provides air flight services to 7.5 million passengers for a turnover of 16.5 billion Moroccan dirhams.
For Addou, the increase of the company’s fleet will require human resources, with the company seeking to grow its human capital from 3,500 employees to over 11,000.
“This need for personnel is explained by the fact that each aircraft requires 55 personnel,” including pilots, cabin crew, and mechanics, among others, he said.
Addou did not reveal the amount of funding the company will receive under the new contract with the government but stressed that this financial support will come in a gradual pace depending on Royal Air Maroc’s needs.
The purchase of new aircrafts will take place gradually by relying on the government fund, which will change according to the company’s needs annually.
The government appointed a monitoring committee that will provide an annual assessment to uncover the need for a capital increase to support the acquisition of new planes.
As for the company’s plan to expand its network, Royal Air Maroc aims to open new lines, operating from different European destinations – including Manchester, Munich, Zurich and Naples, as well as African cities such as Tripoli, Ndjamena, Abuja, Nairobi, Johannesburg and the island of Sal in Cape Verde.
