Royal Air Maroc Plans Major Expansion in Brazilian Market

Doha – Royal Air Maroc aims to increase its São Paulo-Casablanca flight frequency from three to up to six weekly flights by early 2026, while also planning to launch services to Rio de Janeiro, the airline’s Director-General in Brazil Othman Baba stated, as reported by the Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA).

During his visit to the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) on Tuesday, Baba revealed that the current flights have maintained high occupancy rates between 85% and 88% since operations resumed.

“First we started with three flights, but we aim to reach five or six, as we did before the pandemic,” he said.

The airline had already signaled its expansion plans shortly after resuming operations in December 2024, when it gathered top travel agents in São Paulo.

At the time, Baba noted that bookings were increasing with seats fully booked for several weeks ahead in both directions, while also elaborating on growing Brazilian interest in various Moroccan destinations, particularly Marrakech, Agadir, and historic cities like Rabat, Fez, and Essaouira.

The airline, which resumed its Brazil operations after a five-year hiatus due to COVID-19, is showing strong confidence in the Brazilian market.

“We have a clear strategy for the Brazilian market. The Brazilian market is not new for Royal Air Maroc. We were here before the pandemic, and it was working very well for us,” Baba affirmed in the ABCC meeting.

The current São Paulo-Casablanca route primarily serves as a connection hub, with approximately 90% of Brazilian travelers using it to reach European cities, while the remaining 10% travel to African destinations, including Morocco.

The airline connects to more than 35 African countries. “We are and we hope to be a bridge between Africa and the world. We already are one of the best airlines between Africa and Europe,” Baba asserted.

The company established its São Paulo office in November 2024, following the opening of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) in the city about a year and a half ago.

“We are working in close cooperation with our tourism board to once again place Morocco at the top of the Brazilian travelers’ minds,” Baba pointed out.

During the ABCC meeting, which included the organization’s President William Abid Dib Jr. and other key officials, discussions covered potential partnerships, Muslim-friendly tourism, trade missions, and initiatives through the ABCC’s WAHI women’s committee.

The São Paulo-Casablanca service currently operates three times weekly, with flights departing Casablanca on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 4:45 p.m., arriving in São Paulo at 10:20 p.m.

Return flights leave São Paulo at 12:25 a.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Casablanca at 1:15 p.m.