Royal Air Maroc Fleet Expansion Targets 200 Aircraft by 2037

Royal Air Maroc’s Grand Ambition: A 200-Aircraft Fleet by 2037

In the competitive world of international Airlines, strategic foresight is the bedrock of longevity and success. Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s national carrier, has laid out a roadmap that is nothing short of transformational. The airline has embarked on an ambitious journey to quadruple its fleet, aiming to grow from its current size of approximately 50 aircraft to a formidable 200 by 2037. This isn’t merely a shopping spree for new planes; it’s a calculated, long-term vision deeply intertwined with Morocco’s broader economic aspirations, its burgeoning tourism industry, and its prominent role on the global stage as a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The plan, which was set in motion with a government partnership in July 2023, is designed to reposition both the airline and the nation. By significantly expanding its operational capacity, Royal Air Maroc aims to evolve from a key regional airline into a dominant global connector. The strategy is comprehensive, targeting a massive increase in passenger traffic, revenue, and the number of destinations served. CEO Abdelhamid Addou recently confirmed a critical timeline for this expansion, stating that the first aircraft from a major new tender are expected to begin arriving in 2028, marking a concrete step towards this new era.

This fleet expansion serves as the backbone of a national strategy. As Morocco prepares to welcome millions of tourists and football fans, the need for robust, efficient, and far-reaching air travel has never been more critical. The government’s capital injection underscores the plan’s importance, signaling a unified effort to build an aviation infrastructure capable of supporting the country’s future. We are witnessing a pivotal moment where an airline’s growth is synonymous with its home country’s development, a synergy that promises to reshape Morocco’s connectivity with the world.

The Blueprint for a New Era in Aviation

The path to 200 aircraft is meticulously planned, balancing long-term acquisitions with immediate needs to maintain momentum. The core of this strategy is a comprehensive 2023-2037 development plan, which is now moving from ambition to execution. This framework is not just about numbers but about building a sustainable and versatile fleet capable of meeting diverse market demands for decades to come.

The 2037 Vision and Its Foundation

The groundwork for this massive undertaking was formally laid in July 2023, when the Moroccan government and Royal Air Maroc signed a partnership agreement. This crucial step provided the necessary capital to fuel the airline’s development goals, turning a long-held vision into a tangible project. The objective is clear: to methodically scale operations over the next decade and a half, ensuring that growth is both aggressive and sustainable. The plan projects a staggering increase in annual passenger capacity, from six million to 31 million, reflecting the scale of its global ambitions.

This expansion is also projected to have a profound financial impact. Revenue is forecasted to climb from 15.5 billion dirhams ($1.6 billion) to 100 billion dirhams ($10.4 billion), transforming the airline’s economic footprint. The expansion is about more than just adding routes; it’s about building a powerful economic engine that contributes significantly to the national economy. The government’s backing highlights a shared belief that a strong national carrier is essential for achieving Morocco’s strategic goals in tourism, trade, and international relations.

The timeline is deliberate. While the goal is set for 2037, the first major deliveries are slated for 2028. This staggered approach allows the airline to integrate new aircraft smoothly, train staff, and develop new routes without disrupting current operations. It reflects a mature understanding of the complexities involved in such a large-scale fleet overhaul, prioritizing stability alongside rapid growth.

The plan is to increase the fleet from roughly 50 aircraft to 200, boosting annual passenger capacity from six million to 31 million by 2037.

Tender, Fleet Mix, and Interim Growth

On April 15, 2024, Royal Air Maroc officially launched the tender for its new aircraft, inviting proposals from the world’s leading Manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and ATR. This wide net ensures a competitive process and allows the airline to select the ideal aircraft for its multi-faceted strategy. The acquisition plan is flexible, incorporating a mix of firm orders with options, as well as both outright purchases and dry leases. This hybrid approach provides financial agility and allows RAM to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements in the aviation industry.

The future fleet will be diverse, tailored to serve different segments of the airline’s expanding network. While the order will primarily consist of medium-haul jets to connect Morocco with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, it will also include short-haul aircraft for domestic and regional routes and long-haul planes to expand its intercontinental reach. This balanced composition is essential for realizing the airline’s three-pronged network strategy: enhancing domestic connectivity, opening new point-to-point tourist routes, and strengthening Casablanca’s role as a major international hub.

However, RAM is not standing still while waiting for 2028. The airline has initiated an interim growth phase to meet immediate demand and prepare for the larger expansion. In 2025 alone, the carrier is set to acquire five new aircraft, including three Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Plans are already in place to add another ten aircraft by the end of 2025 and ten more in 2026. To bridge any remaining gaps, the airline has been utilizing wet-leased aircraft and has also secured smaller, separate Orders for Boeing 787-9s and 737 MAXs, demonstrating a proactive and dynamic approach to its short-term capacity needs.

A Strategy Beyond the Skies: Fueling a Nation’s Ambitions

Royal Air Maroc’s fleet expansion is a catalyst for national development, with its impact extending far beyond the aviation sector. It is a cornerstone of Morocco’s strategy to become a premier global destination for tourism and events, with the 2030 FIFA World Cup serving as a key milestone. This alignment of corporate and national interests creates a powerful synergy that will drive progress on multiple fronts.

Powering Morocco’s Tourism Engine

The primary driver behind the fleet expansion is the goal to bolster Morocco’s tourism industry. The country has set ambitious targets of attracting 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and 26 million by 2030. Achieving these numbers is impossible without a significant increase in air capacity. The new fleet will enable RAM to increase its destinations from 99 in 2023 to a projected 130 cities, opening up new source markets and making Morocco more accessible to travelers from around the world.

The network development plan directly supports this goal by creating more point-to-point routes for tourists and the significant Moroccan diaspora living abroad. This strategy aims to improve the travel experience by offering more direct flights, reducing reliance on transfers through the main hub in Casablanca for certain routes. At the same time, the plan includes strengthening Casablanca’s position as a key international hub, particularly for connecting Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This dual approach allows RAM to cater to different traveler needs simultaneously.

Furthermore, the plan emphasizes improving domestic connectivity. By establishing better links between Moroccan cities without forcing travelers to transit through Casablanca, the airline will help distribute the benefits of tourism more evenly across the country. This will encourage visitors to explore more of what Morocco has to offer, from its imperial cities to its coastal resorts and mountain landscapes, thereby enriching the tourist experience and supporting local economies nationwide.

The 2030 World Cup Catalyst

The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, serves as both a powerful motivator and a firm deadline for the expansion efforts. Hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events will bring an unprecedented influx of visitors, and having the aviation infrastructure to manage this surge is non-negotiable. The fleet expansion is a critical component of the national preparations, ensuring that the country can provide a seamless and welcoming experience for hundreds of thousands of fans, teams, and officials.

Royal Air Maroc’s role in this monumental event is already formalized. Through a Partnerships with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, RAM is the official airline for the tournament. This designation places the carrier at the heart of the logistical operations, responsible for transporting a significant portion of the international traffic. The pressure is on to have a substantial part of the new and expanded fleet operational by 2030 to meet this peak demand.

The World Cup is more than just a month-long tournament; it’s a unique opportunity for Morocco to showcase itself on the world stage. A successful and well-managed travel experience will leave a lasting positive impression, potentially boosting tourism for years to come. In this context, Royal Air Maroc’s performance will be a direct reflection of the nation’s capability and hospitality. The timely execution of its fleet expansion is therefore not just a corporate goal but a matter of national pride and long-term strategic interest.

Conclusion: A Flight Path to the Future

Royal Air Maroc’s plan to expand its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037 is one of the most ambitious strategic initiatives in the aviation industry today. It is a comprehensive, multi-decade vision that transforms the airline from a national carrier into a global aviation powerhouse. This growth is fundamentally linked to Morocco’s national ambitions, serving as the logistical backbone for its goals in tourism, economic development, and international prestige, with the 2030 FIFA World Cup as a critical near-term focus.

The success of this grand plan will depend on a confluence of factors: the timely Delivery of aircraft from manufacturers, the strategic development of a profitable and efficient route network, and the continued growth of Morocco as a top-tier global destination. As the first new aircraft from the tender begin to arrive in 2028, we will be watching the dawn of a new chapter for both Royal Air Maroc and the Kingdom of Morocco, one defined by greater connection, ambition, and a truly global reach.

FAQ

Question: What is Royal Air Maroc’s main goal with its fleet expansion?
Answer: The primary goal is to quadruple its fleet from approximately 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037. This expansion is designed to significantly boost Morocco’s tourism industry, enhance international connectivity, and support the country’s role as a co-host for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Question: When will the new planes start arriving?
Answer: The first aircraft from the major tender are expected to be delivered starting in 2028. However, the airline is already in an interim growth phase, adding new and leased aircraft in 2025 and 2026 to meet immediate demand.

Question: How is the 2030 FIFA World Cup related to this plan?
Answer: The World Cup acts as a major catalyst and a deadline for the expansion. The significantly larger fleet will be essential for managing the massive influx of tourists and fans for the event. Royal Air Maroc is the official airline for the tournament, making its readiness a key part of Morocco’s national preparations.

Sources: Reuters