Middle East Conflict Forces Royal Air Maroc to Suspend Several Routes
In a significant development amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Royal Air Maroc has announced a temporary suspension of multiple international flights connecting Morocco with Central Africa and several European cities. This decision is a direct consequence of the soaring jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the region. According to a statement released by the official Moroccan news agency MAP, the airline has been compelled to "temporarily adjust" its network to cope with the steep rise in operational costs. As with the global aviation industry, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is feeling the impact of skyrocketing fuel prices in a context characterized by heightened geopolitical tensions.
Despite the temporary nature of these changes, RAM has assured that this is not a structural reduction in its operations but rather a necessary adjustment to avoid operating routes that have become unprofitable. The airline plans to conduct regular reassessments of the suspended services based on fuel price fluctuations and demand levels. The affected routes predominantly include connections to Central Africa, with key destinations such as Bangui, Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Douala, Yaoundé, and Libreville being impacted. Additionally, several services from Marrakech and Tangier have been interrupted, affecting flights to Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Brussels, Barcelona, and Malaga. These European routes have seen a decline in demand, compounded by rising fuel costs, which has jeopardized their immediate profitability.
Royal Air Maroc has pledged to implement measures to assist affected passengers, offering re-routing or refunds depending on individual circumstances. The airline is closely monitoring the international situation, aiming to gradually restore suspended routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit. Despite this challenging period, RAM, which is over 98% state-owned, remains committed to its ambitious strategic development program, which includes plans to quadruple its fleet by 2037.
As reported by fr.africanews.com.
