Latest news with #Kayouh
Morocco World
a day ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc Sets Sights on 200-Strong Fleet by 2037
Rabat – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is charting an ambitious course for growth, adding new aircraft and preparing for a major transformation of its global reach. The national carrier recently welcomed three Boeing 787 Dreamliners over just two days, on top of two new planes delivered earlier this year. This brings the total number of new aircraft for 2025 to five. Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh shared the update during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, June 3. He said RAM plans to acquire ten more aircraft before the end of the year and another ten in 2026. Each new Dreamliner holds 302 passengers – a capacity that signals the airline's steady push to meet growing demand. But the airline's ambitions stretch far beyond short-term additions. A major call for tenders will soon be launched to purchase 188 additional aircraft. The move forms part of a long-term agreement between the Moroccan state and RAM, covering 2023 to 2037. By the end of this roadmap, the airline aims to expand its fleet from 50 to 200 planes. At the heart of this strategy lies a sharp increase in passenger numbers. RAM intends to move from transporting six million passengers annually to 31 million by 2037. The company also projects its revenue to rise from MAD 15.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to MAD 100 billion ($10.4 billion) within the same timeframe. To support this shift, the airline will broaden its international footprint. From 99 destinations in 2023, RAM looks to reach 130 cities in the coming years. The plan reflects a clear ambition to establish RAM as a serious player among global carriers. Kayouh also recalled a recent partnership with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Under this agreement, RAM will serve as the official airline for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Direct flights will connect continents, positioning Morocco as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Meanwhile, the government also wants to strengthen air travel inside the country. More domestic routes are set to open, in order to boost local tourism and make Morocco's regions more accessible to both residents and visitors. Tags: economyMorocco fleetplanesRAMRoyal Air Maroc
Morocco World
08-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Civil Aviation: Morocco Among Arab Candidates for ICAO Council Seat
Rabat – The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) has officially approved a list of Arab countries, including Morocco, to run for seats on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council. During an extraordinary general assembly held Thursday in Rabat, ACAO member states endorsed candidates from two categories. Alongside Morocco, the list includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The initiative aims to ensure a stronger Arab voice in the ICAO Council ahead of its 42nd General Assembly, scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 3, 2025 in Montreal. Speaking at the assembly, Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, emphasized the importance of a unified Arab representation that reflects the growing influence and strategic role of the civil aviation sector in Arab economies. 'A strong Arab presence in the ICAO Council will highlight the vital contribution of civil aviation to economic and social development—not only in Arab countries, but globally,' Kayouh said. He also stressed the need for Arab nations to keep pace with rapidly evolving developments in aviation, from legal frameworks to technological innovations. Kayouh expressed optimism that a harmonized Arab vision would help secure broader international support from other regional blocs, thereby increasing the chances of Arab candidates winning a substantial number of votes. The minister also announced that Morocco has completed architectural plans and secured land for the construction of ACAO's new headquarters, reaffirming the country's commitment to enhancing the organization's working environment. A contractor for the project will be selected soon. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of ACAO's Executive Council, noted that discussions during the assembly also tackled pressing issues in civil aviation, including air safety and the integration of modern technologies. He stressed the importance of coordinated Arab efforts in addressing industry challenges and preparing for the ICAO elections. He called for a unified Arab stance within international aviation institutions, underscoring the need for deeper cooperation with other regional blocs to boost mutual support during elections. The ACAO assembly marks a strategic step in aligning Arab countries' policies, strengthening technical and regulatory capacities, and reinforcing their collective presence on the international aviation stage. An agency under the Arab League, ACAO seeks to advance collaboration among Arab nations in civil aviation, while promoting shared policies, developing technological capabilities, and advocating for Arab interests in global aviation governance. Tags: aviation in moroccoICAO councilMorocco
Morocco World
01-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Revamps Transport Sector with New Safety and Service Quality Standards
Rabat – Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, recently launched a comprehensive reform plan aimed at modernizing the country's transport sector. The project focuses on improving public safety, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing service quality across various transport modes. The reform includes the renewal of the intercity bus fleet, professional training for drivers, and support for the rural and tourism transport sectors, as well as the car rental industry. The reforms were presented during a series of steering committee meetings held in Rabat from April 28 to 30, bringing together key stakeholders from public passenger transport, rural mixed transport, tourism transport, and driverless car rental services. Officials from the Ministry and the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA) also participated in the discussions, reflecting a strong push for a coordinated and participatory approach. Central to the new strategy is the 'Safe Autocar' program, which seeks to replace outdated intercity buses with modern, safer vehicles. Backed by an annual budget of MAD 200 million ($19.6 million), the fleet renewal initiative will run from 2024 to 2026, aiming to raise public transport's attractiveness and reliability. The plan also addresses the need to professionalize the transport tourism sector by encouraging structured investment and improving service standards. Additionally, a dedicated vehicle renewal program aims to enhance safety and connectivity for remote communities in rural and mountainous regions. Acknowledging the rapid expansion of Morocco's driverless car rental industry, fueled by tourism and the seasonal return of Moroccans living abroad, Kayouh announced an extension of the transitional period for rental agencies to comply with the new regulatory framework that was implemented in April of 2024. He also asserted his ministry's commitment to digitalizing procedures to build a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable transport system. On Tuesday, Kayouh unveiled a bold MAD 96 billion ($9.6 billion) investment plan to modernize Morocco's railway infrastructure by 2030. The minister detailed that the plan is designed to significantly enhance rail connectivity, improve service quality, and support Morocco's broader goals for sustainable and efficient transport. Tags: Abdessamad Kayouhtransporttransport reformtransport sector
Morocco World
30-04-2025
- Morocco World
Over 40 Morocco Flights Canceled as Iberian Power Outage Disrupts Air Travel
Rabat – Frequent flight delays at Morocco's major airports have sparked concern among travelers in recent months. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has stepped in to explain the situation, pointing to factors beyond the control of airlines. Speaking before the House of Councillors on Tuesday, Transport Minister Abdessamad Kayouh said delays recorded in cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, Rabat, Fez, Oujda, and Nador stemmed largely from problems at departure airports. In many cases, the root causes were technical disruptions or unforeseen emergencies. One of the more significant setbacks came recently, when a widespread power outage in Spain and Portugal disrupted air traffic. Over 40 flights to and from those countries were canceled, Kayouh said, noting that priority has since shifted toward rescheduling the affected routes and restoring normal service. To prevent similar scenarios from creating a bottleneck for passengers, the ministry has put several solutions on the table. A new runway is currently under construction, and airport procedures are under review. Kayouh said the goal is to help travelers move more quickly through terminals, particularly those catching connecting flights. The ministry wants to simplify administrative formalities and reduce the time spent at passport control and security checks. This push for reform fits into a broader plan Morocco calls 'Aéroports 2030.' The project lays out an ambitious goal: double the country's airport capacity from 40 million to 80 million passengers each year. Seven major airports are set for expansion as part of this expansion, preparing Morocco to welcome large crowds during the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host. Kayouh acknowledged that setbacks are part of air travel, but said authorities act quickly when delays go beyond acceptable limits. The ministry insists it remains focused on improving passenger experience. As international travel continues to rebound and Morocco positions itself as a regional hub, the government sees airport reform not as an option but as a necessity. Tags: electricity blackoutMorocco airportsMorocco flightsSpain blackout
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Airports 2030: Morocco Launches $2.8 Billion Aviation Program
Doha – Morocco has launched a MAD 28 billion ($2.8 billion) investment program as part of its 'Airports 2030' vision, aiming to more than double passenger capacity to 80 million by 2030, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh announced on Monday in Rabat. The ambitious plan includes the construction of a new Casablanca airport on 800 hectares adjacent to the existing Mohammed V Airport. The new facility will single-handedly accommodate 40 million passengers and connect Morocco with long-haul destinations requiring over 8 hours of flight time. 'This program consists primarily of building a new airport in Casablanca, following Royal directives, to serve as a gateway between Morocco and other countries around the world, particularly distant destinations,' Kayouh told the Chamber of Representatives during a question session. The new Casablanca airport will be integrated with high-speed rail connections, allowing travelers to reach Marrakech in 50 minutes and Tanger in 90 minutes. These enhancements align with plans to double Royal Air Maroc's fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft by 2030. Beyond Casablanca, several regional airports will undergo major expansion. The Rabat-Salé Airport will increase capacity to 4 million passengers, the Fez Airport to 5 million, and the Sania Ramel Airport to 2 million. Moroccan airports handled over 34 million passengers in 2024, a figure expected to more than double under the 2030 vision. The plan prioritizes airports in FIFA World Cup 2030 host cities – Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger, Marrakech, and Agadir – but will extend to neighboring areas to promote economic development and social cohesion. 'These expansion efforts will not be limited to World Cup host cities but will include neighboring towns to achieve economic development and socio-economic cohesion,' Kayouh said. The minister detailed several measures already implemented to improve passenger experience, including the elimination of scanners and reduction of airport transit times to under 25 minutes. Future enhancements will incorporate electronic gates and biometric passports. Nationwide transport upgrade On the rail front, Kayouh revealed that the National Office of Railways (ONCF) is advancing studies for the Marrakech-Agadir high-speed line, expected to be completed within three months. Land acquisition has already begun, securing 8 km at Marrakech's exit and over 60 hectares near Agadir's Adrar stadium. The Marrakech-Casablanca high-speed segment is scheduled for completion by 2029, while an extension to Essaouira is under consideration. In 2024, Moroccan railways transported 56 million passengers, predominantly via the Al Boraq high-speed train. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed Morocco's aviation strategy, noting the sector's important economic impact. According to IATA's 'Value of Air Transport to Morocco' report from last month, aviation contributes MAD 112 billion ($11.2 billion) to GDP and supports 856,000 jobs, representing 7.9% of the country's economy. 'Given the critical and growing importance of aviation to Morocco's economy, the launch of the 'Airports 2030 Strategy' will have a far-reaching and positive impact on Morocco's economic and social development,' said Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. IATA's report indicates that Morocco's international air connectivity has increased by 36% within Africa and 63% with other regions since 2014. The country now operates 18 airports with commercial scheduled flights connecting to 54 countries through direct routes. The aviation sector directly employs 38,000 people in Morocco, generating MAD 11 billion ($1.1 billion) in economic output. Tourism supported by aviation makes the largest contribution, adding MAD 85 billion ($8.5 billion) to GDP and employing 681,600 people. IATA has recommended three key priorities to maximize Morocco's airport investments: ensuring cost-efficient charges and fees, building human resource capacity alongside infrastructure development, and implementing smart consumer regulations that reflect global best practices. 'It is no coincidence that the 'Airports 2030 Strategy' aligns with Morocco being a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco will be on the world stage, which is a great incentive to be ready to show off Morocco's growing strength as an aviation hub linking Africa, Europe, and North America,' Al-Awadhi noted. Read also: Morocco's Airports Target 90 Million Passengers by 2035
