Royal Air Maroc announced a temporary suspension of several international flights late Saturday to early Sunday, attributing this decision to the soaring prices of jet fuel, specifically kerosene. This surge in fuel prices is a direct result of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with a decline in demand for certain flight routes. The airline's statement highlighted that the exceptional increase in operational costs has significantly impacted the entire global aviation sector, prompting numerous airlines to reassess their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacities to mitigate further losses.
In this context, Royal Air Maroc has officially discontinued flights on the following routes: Casablanca – Bangui, Casablanca – Brazzaville, Casablanca – Kinshasa, Casablanca – Douala, Casablanca – Yaoundé, Casablanca – Libreville, Tangier – Malaga, Tangier – Barcelona, Marrakech – Lyon, Marrakech – Bordeaux, Marrakech – Marseille, and Marrakech – Brussels. An unnamed source within the airline, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the press, indicated that the tripling of jet fuel prices in the international market since the onset of the American-Israeli conflict against Iran has compelled the management to reconsider the scheduling of certain routes that are experiencing reduced demand.
The source elaborated in an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the rise in production costs due to the implications of the ongoing war has led to the cessation of several routes that were incurring substantial losses for the company. Kerosene typically constitutes a fundamental part of operational expenses for airlines, usually accounting for 15% to 30% of total expenditures, and in some instances, this cost can exceed the budget allocated for human resources within the companies.
While the increase in jet fuel prices has prompted many airlines to elevate ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has, thus far, refrained from adjusting its ticket prices or modifying its pricing policy to align with international market developments. Furthermore, the airline reassured that it will implement all necessary measures to support the passengers affected by this suspension. It emphasized that it is closely monitoring the international situation and will work towards gradually reinstating these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions allow.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
