Royal Air Maroc Unveils Ambitious Route Expansion to Boost Africa’s Global Air Links
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is making a decisive move to strengthen its position as a leading carrier for Africa, with an impressive slate of new direct flights scheduled to launch by 2026. Operating from its strategic base at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, RAM’s expansion plans are set to dramatically enhance the continent’s connectivity with Europe, the Americas, and the rest of Africa—delivering new opportunities for tourism, business, and cross-continental collaboration that will be of particular interest to sub-Saharan African travel professionals.
Starting April 2026, RAM is set to introduce a series of new routes that underscore Morocco’s ambitions to serve as a global aviation hub. The airline will inaugurate direct flights to Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo and Tripoli in Libya, strengthening North-South and West-Central African travel links. Simultaneously, flights to Beirut in Lebanon and to the Spanish cities of Alicante and Bilbao will commence, further broadening RAM’s reach into the Mediterranean and European markets.
The momentum continues into June 2026 with the launch of a new route connecting Casablanca to Palma de Mallorca, a favorite destination in Spain’s Balearic Islands, as well as a direct service to Verona in Italy, set to debut on June 20. These additions are designed to capture the growing demand for leisure and business travel between Africa and Southern Europe, and provide more seamless connections for travelers originating from, or destined for, sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to these fresh routes, Royal Air Maroc is also set to fulfill earlier route announcements, including a direct service from Casablanca to St. Petersburg in Russia, scheduled for January 2026. This eastward expansion is significant, as it presents the African tourism sector with new possibilities for tapping into the Russian outbound travel market, which has shown consistent growth and interest in African destinations.
Perhaps most notably for long-haul travel, RAM is preparing to launch its highly anticipated nonstop Casablanca–Los Angeles service on June 7, 2026. Operating three times weekly with Boeing 787 aircraft, this 12-hour flight is a game-changer, opening direct access between North and West Africa and the U.S. West Coast. For African tourism and trade professionals, this route presents the chance to cultivate new business and leisure flows, as well as to promote multi-destination itineraries that include both Africa and North America.
To match this network growth, RAM will also ramp up frequencies on several established long-haul routes, particularly those connecting Casablanca to São Paulo, Miami, Washington, and Dubai. These increased frequencies are designed to accommodate rising passenger demand and to provide flexible travel options for both African and international travelers. Enhanced connectivity to the Americas and the Middle East signals RAM’s commitment to positioning Casablanca as a true gateway for Africa, facilitating better access and smoother connections for travelers from across the continent.
RAM’s CEO, Hamid Addou, has made it clear that this next phase is integral to the airline’s broader growth strategy. “Since 2023, we have taken delivery of around 10 additional aircraft, increased frequencies on several strategic destinations, and opened nearly 20 international routes,” Addou explained. The roll-out of at least 10 new routes in 2026 is expected to further strengthen Morocco’s global air connectivity and support the country’s economic and tourism development plans.
Underpinning these ambitious network enhancements is a long-term strategy to modernize and expand RAM’s fleet. The carrier is planning to introduce new long-haul aircraft equipped with upgraded cabins, ensuring passengers enjoy state-of-the-art comfort and amenities on extended journeys. With a current fleet of around 60 aircraft, RAM’s vision is to reach a total of 200 aircraft by 2037—a transformative leap that will enable even broader network coverage and frequency increases in years to come.
For Africa’s tourism industry, RAM’s expansion represents more than just new routes—it signals a shift in how the continent is connected to the world. Direct links to new cities in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and within Africa itself mean easier access for international visitors, streamlined logistics for business travel, and expanded options for diaspora communities returning home or exploring the continent. The new service to Los Angeles, in particular, is poised to foster partnerships, tourism exchanges, and cultural ties between West Africa and the U.S.
This expansion also positions RAM as a preferred partner for African tour operators, DMCs, and hospitality providers looking to diversify their source markets and enhance multi-destination offerings. As more direct flights reduce travel time and complexity, destinations across Africa can expect to benefit from increased visitor arrivals, greater investment interest, and improved prospects for hosting regional events and exhibitions.
With its bold network strategy, fleet modernization, and focus on customer experience, Royal Air Maroc is not only advancing Morocco’s position in the global aviation landscape but also providing a powerful boost to African tourism and economic growth. The coming years will be critical as the airline’s expanded route map opens doors to new business and cultural exchanges, further integrating Africa into the international travel ecosystem and setting the stage for a new era of connectivity and opportunity across the continent.
