Royal Air Maroc announced a temporary suspension of several international flights late Saturday into Sunday, attributing this decision to the soaring prices of jet fuel, specifically kerosene, which have been influenced by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, as well as a decline in demand for certain routes.
In an official statement, the airline linked the suspension to the extraordinary rise in operational costs that has significantly impacted the global aviation sector. This surge in expenses has prompted many airlines to reassess their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacities to mitigate further losses.
In this context, Royal Air Maroc confirmed the temporary cancellation of flights on the following routes: Casablanca to Bangui, Casablanca to Brazzaville, Casablanca to Kinshasa, Casablanca to Douala, Casablanca to Yaoundé, Casablanca to Libreville, Tangier to Malaga, Tangier to Barcelona, Marrakech to Lyon, Marrakech to Bordeaux, Marrakech to Marseille, and Marrakech to Brussels.
According to a source from Royal Air Maroc, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the press, the skyrocketing prices of jet fuel—now three times higher in the international market compared to pre-U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran—have compelled the airline's management to reconsider scheduling for several routes experiencing lower demand.
The source elaborated in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid that the increase in production costs due to the war's repercussions has halted several routes that were incurring significant losses for the airline. They noted that jet fuel typically accounts for 15% to 30% of a carrier's total operational expenses, and in some instances, these costs can exceed the budget allocated for human resources.
While rising fuel prices have led several airlines to increase ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has yet to adjust its pricing policy in response to these international market developments.
Furthermore, the airline assured that it would take all necessary measures to support affected travelers during this suspension. They emphasized that they are closely monitoring international developments and will gradually resume these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
