Royal Air Maroc Expands Its Fleet with a New Embraer E190
The national airline of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), is poised to enhance its operational capabilities with the imminent arrival of its fifth Embraer E190 aircraft. According to reliable sources, this addition will increase RAM's fleet of Embraer E190s to five, contributing to a total of 66 aircraft within its entire fleet.
The newly acquired Embraer E190, which is approximately 15 years old, is configured to accommodate 96 passengers, comprising 84 seats in economy class and 12 in business class. The airline has chosen a leasing model for this aircraft, a common practice in the aviation industry that allows for rapid capacity enhancement while maintaining control over investment costs. Previously, this aircraft was part of the fleet operated by Kenya Airways.
While the aircraft has already been painted in RAM's distinctive livery, the delivery process remains ongoing, and no official date for its entry into service has been established yet. The Embraer E190s are integral to RAM's operational strategy, primarily serving short to medium-haul routes that typically last between one to three hours.
Strategic Importance of the Embraer E190 in RAM's Operations
With a seating capacity of around 100 passengers, the Embraer E190s enable Royal Air Maroc to efficiently service destinations where demand does not justify the use of larger aircraft. This mid-range capacity strikes an optimal balance between operational costs and passenger load, providing essential flexibility in managing the airline's route network.
Sources indicate that the new Embraer E190 is set to operate international flights from northern Moroccan airports to popular tourist destinations in countries such as Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. Beyond commercial operations, the partnership between Royal Air Maroc and Embraer is part of a broader industrial dynamic. During the Marrakech Air Show in 2024, Morocco signed an agreement with Embraer aimed at developing joint industrial projects in aviation, defense, and urban air mobility.
In an interview with Le360, the CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation highlighted that this collaboration will include establishing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities in Morocco, with the potential for further advanced capabilities, in addition to training programs and academic exchanges. Furthermore, Embraer is promoting its E2 family of aircraft as part of RAM's fleet modernization efforts, with possible deliveries beginning in 2027. The group has also expressed interest in enhancing collaboration in defense, particularly regarding the C-390 military transport aircraft, which has already been adopted by several nations.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
