Royal Air Maroc announced a temporary suspension of several international flights late Saturday into Sunday, attributing this decision to the significant rise in jet fuel prices, specifically kerosene, which has been exacerbated by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a decline in demand for specific flight routes. The airline issued a statement linking the suspension to an extraordinary increase in operational costs that has severely impacted the 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 disclosed the temporary halt of 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. According to an anonymous source from Royal Air Maroc, who requested not to be named due to a lack of authorization to speak to the press, the sky-rocketing prices of kerosene, which have tripled in the international market compared to pre-U.S.-Israeli war levels on Iran, have compelled the airline's management to reconsider the scheduling of several routes and destinations experiencing lower demand.
The source elaborated in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid that the rising production costs, a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict, have halted several routes that were incurring significant losses for the airline. It was noted that kerosene typically constitutes a critical element of operating expenses for airlines, usually ranging from 15% to 30% of total expenditures, and in some instances, these costs can exceed the budget allocated for human resources within companies.
While the uptick in jet fuel prices has prompted various airlines to increase ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has, to date, refrained from adjusting its ticket prices or revising its pricing strategy in line with international market developments. Furthermore, Royal Air Maroc has assured that it will take all necessary measures to support affected travelers due to this suspension. The airline emphasized its commitment to closely monitor international developments and will gradually resume these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
