Royal Air Maroc to Increase Weekly Flights to São Paulo
The Moroccan airline, Royal Air Maroc, is set to enhance its flight frequency between Casablanca and São Paulo, increasing from four to five weekly flights by the end of this year. This announcement was made by Othman Baba, the airline’s regional director for Latin America, during an interview at the WTM Latin America trade fair in São Paulo, where the airline is showcasing its services at the Moroccan tourism authority’s booth. Baba elaborated that in order to broaden its operations within Brazil, Royal Air Maroc is also eyeing a return to Rio de Janeiro, contingent on achieving a minimum of five weekly flights to São Paulo.
Historically, Royal Air Maroc offered flights to Rio de Janeiro until the early 1990s, and although operations resumed in Brazil in 2013, the airline faced challenges during the pandemic and halted services in 2020. The airline successfully reinstated its flights in 2024, initially operating three weekly services, which increased to four weekly flights by the end of last year, all utilizing the modern Boeing 787 aircraft. Baba emphasized the importance of solidifying the São Paulo route before embarking on expansion into Rio de Janeiro, stating that a sustainable operation is essential for success. He remarked, “We are working to strengthen São Paulo. Once sustainability is achieved, expansion becomes possible.”
According to Baba, the São Paulo–Casablanca route has proven to be a success, boasting an impressive average load factor of 80%. He noted that the majority of passengers, approximately 90%, are leisure travelers, including those visiting family and friends in Morocco, while the remaining 10% represent business travelers—a segment that holds significant growth potential due to the burgeoning trade relations between Brazil and Morocco, particularly in sectors like agribusiness and energy. The attendance of Morocco’s ambassador to Brazil, Nabil Adghoghi, at the trade fair further underscores the strategic importance of Brazil in Morocco's aviation and tourism landscape.
Despite the ongoing conflicts in the Gulf region and their potential impact on airline operations, Baba expressed optimism, stating that Morocco is fortunate to be distanced from these conflict zones. He reassured that customer cancellations are minimal, primarily limited to those traveling to conflict-affected areas.
As reported by anba.com.br.
