Royal Air Maroc Strengthens Its Fleet
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has made a significant addition to its fleet with the recent acquisition of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, registered as CN-RHR. This latest addition, received on August 27, 2026, in Casablanca, brings the airline's total fleet size to an impressive 69 aircraft. Notably, this marks the 18th Boeing 737 MAX 8 integrated into RAM's operations, highlighting the increasing prominence of this next-generation aircraft model within the airline's lineup.
With the integration of this new aircraft, the total number of Boeing single-aisle planes operated by Royal Air Maroc has now reached 45. The 737 MAX 8 has emerged as a cornerstone of the airline's medium-haul fleet, poised to support the gradual expansion of its network. This development comes at a crucial time for Boeing, which is grappling with various industrial constraints and delays in its production schedules. The American manufacturer has encountered production issues, supply chain tensions, and certification delays for certain versions of the 737 MAX. In July, reports indicated that Boeing was nearing regulatory approval for a modification of the MAX's engine anti-icing system, a necessary step for the advancement of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 programs.
For Royal Air Maroc, the ability to secure and expedite specific aircraft deliveries is of utmost importance as the company embarks on a rapid growth trajectory. As previously reported, RAM's management successfully convinced Boeing to advance the delivery of two aircraft originally scheduled for 2026 to 2025, demonstrating their proactive approach to fleet expansion.
A Strategic Growth Plan
The integration rate of new aircraft is expected to remain robust, with plans in place for Royal Air Maroc to introduce an average of 10 to 15 new aircraft annually. Each aircraft undergoes a rigorous technical process to ensure compliance with international standards and the airline's own operational requirements, as explained by Oussama El Farisi, Head of Engineering at RAM.
This expansion is part of a broader contractual agreement signed in July 2023 between the Moroccan government and Royal Air Maroc, which aims to quadruple the airline's fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037. This ambitious plan aligns with RAM's goal of establishing Casablanca as a major aviation hub and significantly broadening its international network.
The reception of this new MAX 8 comes as the airline prepares to fulfill a substantial order for new aircraft. In April 2024, RAM officially launched a tender for the acquisition of up to 200 new planes, inviting major aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and ATR to participate. According to Bloomberg, the potential order could include up to 50 Boeing 737s for short and medium-haul operations, along with around 20 787 Dreamliners for long-haul services, with the first deliveries expected to commence in 2028.
In the meantime, RAM is continuing to enhance its fleet through interim deliveries. Reports indicated that the airline anticipates leasing up to 13 aircraft per year until the major order is realized, with plans to increase to approximately 15 new deliveries annually starting in 2028. This approach supports RAM's ongoing network expansion, which has recently seen the addition of direct routes to several key economic and tourist destinations, including Beijing, São Paulo, Los Angeles, Saint Petersburg, Manchester, and N'Djamena.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
