Morocco’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) announced its intention to expand its fleet in order to meet growing demand.
The news comes as part of an interview with Royal Air Maroc’s CEO Abdelhamid Addou on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa conference in Marrakech on Tuesday.
Abdelhamid Addou said that the company is looking to add “many new routes” to serve several destinations across the world, including Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Addou emphasized the importance of a larger fleet as key to boosting Royal Air Maroc’s status and attracting more tourists.
The company also aims to boost its base at Casablanca and turn it into a “bigger transit hub for sub-Saharan Africa.”
Describing Africa’s potential as “very large,” Addou stressed the need for African airlines to contribute to the continent’s development.
The company plans to take out loans to fund its expansion plans and purchase new aircraft.
Royal Air Maroc’s fleet currently includes 50 aircraft.
As of 2022, Royal Air Maroc’s fleet included 40 Boeing 737s, Addou shared in an interview with Internation Flight Network. He shared similar plans to update the company’s fleet in 2023.
In May, the Moroccan carrier celebrated its positive performance, despite challenges and risks.
In a speech to the House of Representatives, Addou said the company has managed to succeed despite the absence of financial support from the government since 2012.
He acknowledged, however, the government’s aid in helping the company tackle the dual crisis of COVID-19 and high energy prices.
During the three-month period from January to March 2023, Royal Air Maroc provided airline services for 2.7 million passengers.
As part of the 2023 program, the company plans to provide 6.2 million seats on 90 air routes during the summer season.
