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Morocco World
05-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Analysis: Morocco's Open Skies Deal Shows Path for African Aviation Growth
Doha – Morocco's bold experiment with aviation liberalization demonstrates how strategic reforms can transform air travel across Africa, where protectionist policies and high costs have long hindered connectivity. Marie-Noelle Nwokolo, an associate researcher at The Brenthurst Foundation, noted in a new analysis that Morocco was the first African country to sign an Open Skies agreement with the European Union in 2006, effectively opening its aviation market to competition from Europe. 'Skeptics feared the onslaught of European low-cost carriers would kill the national airline, Royal Air Maroc (RAM); it did not,' Nwokolo wrote in her report titled 'Soaring above the Aviation Blues: How Reforms can Transform Air Travel across Africa.' The results proved transformative for Morocco's economy and travel sector. Passenger volumes between Morocco and Europe grew approximately 18% annually in the four years following the deal, generating an additional €1 billion for Morocco's GDP by 2009 and creating an estimated 24,000 jobs. The researcher observed that tourist arrivals climbed steadily at around 6% per year while average fares dropped by roughly 7%, providing direct consumer benefits. Most significantly, despite predictions of its demise, Royal Air Maroc adapted to the new competitive landscape. 'Royal Air Maroc adapted and held its own – it remains the largest player in the market, even as it now competes with a dozen European carriers (including Ryanair and easyJet) that operate frequent-to-daily flights into Morocco,' explained Nwokolo. The agreement also sparked domestic aviation innovation. Air Arabia Maroc launched in 2009 to tap into the growing budget travel segment, further expanding options for travelers. Challenges amid success Despite its overall success, Morocco's experience also reveals important implementation challenges. Nwokolo cited RAM CEO Abdelhamid Addou's November 2024 comments describing a pronounced imbalance in the agreement's practical application. 'European airlines gained unfettered access to Moroccan and African markets, but when Morocco's Royal Air Maroc sought to expand into Europe, 'open skies and closed airports' became their reality,' Nwokolo noted, quoting Addou. According to Addou, securing landing slots at major European airports remained a persistent struggle, creating an asymmetry in market access that poses serious obstacles for Moroccan carriers. The research showed that liberalization requires continuous management rather than being a one-time policy decision. Moroccan and EU officials have had to navigate ongoing negotiations on various issues from security standards to airport slot allocations as market conditions evolved. 'In essence, Morocco learned that opening the skies is a journey of constant adjustment,' Nwokolo stated in her analysis. 'Still, the overarching lesson is clear: thoughtful liberalization and competitive readiness can yield dramatic benefits for African aviation.' Untapped opportunities The report contrasted Morocco's approach with widespread protectionism across Africa. Despite housing 18% of the world's population, Africa accounts for just 2% of global air passenger traffic – a situation Nwokolo described as 'not inevitable – it is self-imposed.' Continental efforts such as the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision and the African Union's Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched in 2018, have faced implementation hurdles, limiting potential economic gains Nwokolo presented data that signals untapped opportunities with far-reaching implications for Africa. An African Union study in 2022 projected that full implementation of SAATM would boost Africa's GDP by $4.2 billion, create almost 600,000 new jobs, and reduce average airfares by 27%. The analysis pointed to real-world validation already seen in limited cases. When Kenya and South Africa liberalized flights between them in the early 2000s, passenger traffic surged 69%. Similarly, when South Africa allowed low-cost carriers into the South Africa-Zambia market, fares fell and traffic jumped 38%. 'The vision of a connected Africa, where an entrepreneur in Accra can easily hop a flight to meet a client in Lusaka, or a family in Dakar can vacation affordably in Cape Town, is within reach,' Nwokolo concluded. She added that achieving this vision 'will require bold leadership, relentless technical work, and yes, tough negotiations to reconcile interests.' Read also: Airbus Sees Morocco as Key Partner in Aviation Growth Tags: aviation in moroccoOpen skies agreement
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc Launches New Direct Flight Between Casablanca, Catania
Rabat – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) announced on Monday the launch of a new direct flight connecting Casablanca and Catania, a city on the island of Sicily in Italy. The new route will start on June 28. The new route will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Saturdays, using Boeing 737 aircrafts. Flights will leave Casablanca at 3:20 p.m. local time and arrive in Catania at 7:40 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, return flights will depart from Catania at 8:40 p.m. and land in Casablanca at 11:35 p.m. local time. With the addition of this new route, RAM will now serve seven Italian destinations from Casablanca, including Milan, Rome, Bologna, Turin, Venice, Naples, and Catania, said the air carrier in a press release. The airline explained that the new route aims to meet the growing demand from many customers, including the Moroccan and African communities living in Italy, as well as Italian tourists who wish to explore Moroccan attractions. It will also help passengers traveling to other international destinations through Casablanca's airport hub, added the statement. Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc, said that the launch of the Casablanca-Catania route represents an important step in the company's growth strategy and shows commitment to strengthening its presence in Italy, especially in the south of the country. Read also: Morocco Aims to Quadruple Italian Tourism as Welcome Travel Group Convention Opens 'This route will meet the expectations of our citizens living in Sicily and offer great opportunities for African and Italian travelers,' Addou asserted in a statement on the launch. He added that the new route is set to boost tourism between Italy and Morocco and offer travelers better connectivity and a high-quality travel experience. 'The Casablanca-Catania flight is part of a wider plan to open several new routes soon, making it easier for Moroccans living abroad to travel, especially through Casablanca and airports in northern Morocco,' Addou explained. RAM will now operate a total of 45 flights per week between Morocco and Italy. Tags: Morocco italyRAMRoyal Air Maroc
Morocco World
04-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc, Mauritania Airlines Strengthen Partnership with New Agreement
Rabat – Royal Air Maroc and Mauritania Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a 'free flow' codeshare agreement for the direct Casablanca-Nouakchott route. Announced today in Casablanca, this is the first such partnership between the two airlines. It aims to improve the travel experience for passengers by offering more convenience, comfort, and simplified journeys. As part of the agreement, Royal Air Maroc will increase its direct Casablanca-Nouakchott flights from seven to nine times per week, while Mauritania Airlines will also raise its weekly frequencies to nine. In addition, the airlines will introduce four new routes in their codeshare partnership, giving Mauritania Airlines customers access to flights from Royal Air Maroc's Casablanca hub to major cities like Madrid, Dubai, Paris, and Luanda. The partnership also includes collaboration in areas such as aircraft maintenance, ground services, technical and managerial training, digitalization, and human resources. According to Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc, the partnership is a significant step in strengthening the connection between Morocco and Mauritania while reinforcing their commitment to growing their African presence. 'This agreement reflects our shared goal to enhance travel between Morocco and Mauritania and strengthen our position in Africa,' said Addou. 'We aim to provide an exceptional experience for our passengers.' Ahmed Salem Mohamed Vall Ammi, CEO of Mauritania Airlines, expressed pride in this new collaboration with Royal Air Maroc. He said that the codeshare agreement would strengthen travel opportunities between Mauritania and Morocco and expand access to a wider network of destinations, offering more flexibility and a smoother travel experience. 'Through this strategic partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to improving connectivity and providing our passengers with better travel options,' said Ammi. 'This collaboration opens new horizons for Mauritania Airlines and meets the growing demands of our customers.'
