Rabat – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) Cargo has re-established an important trade link between Morocco and China. This route is crucial for transporting goods between China and Africa and provides a direct connection to Brazil.
The Moroccan airline is now operating a Boeing 787-9 aircraft connecting Casablanca and Beijing’s Daxing International Airport, the largest in China, three times a week.
The first flight of this newly launched route took place on January 20. Each week, the flights carry approximately 30 tonnes of cargo each way.
Yassine Berrada, Vice President of Cargo at Royal Air Maroc, noted Morocco’s strategic location which made it the “perfect gateway for shipping trade to Africa and Europe.”
“At Royal Air Maroc, we are proud to go even further, building Casablanca up as a true air bridge between Asia, Africa, and the Americas,” Berrade added.
He explained that the new service “not only provides a highly efficient service for Chinese goods destined for Africa, but also offers a direct onward connection to Brazil, thanks to our recently commenced Sao Paulo (GRU) route.”
Berrada noted that the demand for cargo is high, especially in Beijing, due to China’s growing interest in African exports.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Royal Air Maroc had regular flights to China, and the airline is now eager to restore these important services. “Reinstating Chinese services was an obvious and natural decision as goods exchange is important,” Berrada remarked.
Earlier this year, RAM CEO Hamid Addou expressed satisfaction with the route’s relaunch, calling it a “long-awaited route.” He also noted its importance for Moroccan tourism.
“The Casablanca-Beijing route is primarily dedicated to the development of Moroccan tourism, as 80% of the traffic on this route is expected to consist of foreign tourists,” he said.
The cargo flights will also carry Chinese goods, such as electronics, furniture, and clothing, to Morocco. Many of these will then be forwarded directly to Brazil.
Royal Air Maroc has partnered with Globe Air Cargo China, a subsidiary of ECS Group, to manage these flights. Adrien Thominet, Executive Chairman of ECS Group, expressed pride in supporting the Moroccan air carrier’s efforts to strengthen connections between China, Morocco, and Brazil.
