Royal Air Maroc Plans to Order Several Airbus Jets

Royal Air Maroc Plans to Order Several Airbus Jets

Strategic Shift in Fleet Composition

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco’s national airline and traditionally a Boeing customer, is reportedly on the verge of a major agreement with Airbus that could significantly alter its fleet composition and impact the regional aviation market. According to the French business daily La Tribune, the carrier is engaged in advanced negotiations to acquire multiple Airbus aircraft, including models from the A220 and A320neo families, as well as a widebody jet. While the precise details of the order remain confidential, the deal appears contingent on resolving a dispute with French authorities concerning lost takeoff and landing slots at Paris Orly Airport.

Ambitious Growth and Fleet Expansion

Currently, Royal Air Maroc operates a fleet of 52 aircraft, predominantly Boeing models: 30 Boeing 737s (28 737-800s and two 737 MAX 8s), 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, six ATR 72 turboprops, and four Embraer E190s. The airline has set an ambitious goal to expand its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037. This expansion is driven by Morocco’s rapidly growing tourism sector, which attracted 17.4 million visitors in 2024, as well as the country’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain.

A transition toward Airbus aircraft would diversify RAM’s fleet and could prompt competitors in the region to reevaluate their own fleet strategies. Such a shift may influence supplier relationships and aircraft pricing dynamics across the African and European markets.

Historical and Industrial Ties with Airbus

Although Boeing has been the dominant supplier for RAM, the airline has maintained a historical relationship with Airbus. Between 2009 and 2013, RAM operated four Airbus A321s, and from 2016 to 2018, it leased an A320 from Nouvelair Tunisie. The Moroccan government, which holds control over RAM, has longstanding economic and political ties with France, Airbus’s home country, reinforcing the strategic nature of this potential partnership.

Airbus’s industrial footprint in Morocco has expanded in recent years. The company’s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems’ facilities in April included a plant in Casablanca that manufactures components for the A220 and A321neo families. This development has strengthened Airbus’s integration with the Moroccan aerospace sector and deepened industrial cooperation.

Market and Environmental Implications

A significant Airbus order would represent a strategic pivot for Royal Air Maroc, enhancing its competitive position both within Africa and on international routes. The introduction of fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft such as the A220 and A320neo would support RAM’s sustainability objectives by reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing passenger experience.

Beyond RAM’s internal transformation, the deal could have wider market repercussions. As the airline modernizes and expands its fleet, regional competitors may adjust their procurement strategies, potentially reshaping supplier dynamics and influencing aircraft pricing. Morocco’s growing aviation sector, buoyed by tourism and major international events, positions Royal Air Maroc at the forefront of a shifting landscape in African and global aviation.

If finalized, this Airbus order would mark a significant milestone in RAM’s fleet renewal and could herald a new phase of competition and collaboration within the airline industry.