Royal Air Maroc

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Royal Air Maroc

IATA AT	ICAO RAM	Callsign ROYALAIR MAROC
Founded		1957
Hubs		Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Casablanca
Focus cities / secondary hubs		Ménara International Airport
Frequent flyer program		Safar Flyer
Member lounge		Casablanca Lounge
Alliance		None as of yet
Fleet size		41
Destinations		78
Parent company		Maghreb Union Airlines
Headquarters		Casablanca, Morocco
Key people		Driss Benhima (CEO)
Website: http://www.royalairmaroc.com

Royal Air Maroc (commonly called RAM) is the national airline of Morocco, based in Casablanca. It operates scheduled international flights from Morocco to Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. A domestic and charter network, (including Hadj flights), is also operated. Its base is Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Casablanca.

1 History
2 Stakes and Ownership
3 Services
4 Fleet
5 On order
6 External links
7 References

[edit] History

[edit] First days

The company was founded in 1953 as Compagnie Cherifienne des Transports Aeriens (CCTA). Junkers Ju-52 tri-engine aircraft started local services but these aircraft were soon replaced by DC-3s and Lockheed Constellations. The name Royal Air Maroc was adopted after independence and the company began flying international routes in 1957 from its main base in Casablanca.

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737-700

[edit] The Jet Age

In 1974 RAM introduced its first jets: Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelles. These flew to European routes such as Paris and Madrid until the mid 1970s when they began to be phased out in favor of Boeing 727s. Simultaneously, Boeing 707s were being introduced for longer or higher capacity routes and Original Series 737s for smaller routes. By the end of the 1970s, Royal Air Maroc was flying to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and finally North Africa.

[edit] The 1980s

RAM continued to expand in the 1980s. New routes were opened and routes expanded, frequencies were increased and new aircraft were introduced to modernize the fleet. Boeing 757s were purchased in 1986 and eventually replaced the oldest 727s. The expansion of the Casablanca Mohammed V airport in 1984 provided the company with a more modern base.

[edit] The 1990s

In the early days of the decade, the last of the 707s was removed from the fleet. Meanwhile, newer more efficient Classic 400 and 500 Series Boeing 737s were introduced to increase the frequency of European routes. By the middle of the decade all 727s had disappeared. In order to consolidate its North American operations, Royal Air Maroc purchased a single 747-400. As the decade progressed, new routes to previously under-served African airports were opened.

[edit] 2000-Present

Royal Air Maroc Boeing 757.

With the increasing number of passengers and newly opened routes as well as increasing oil prices, there was a need to buy new aircraft. In 2000 an order for 20 Next Generation Boeing 737 aircraft and 4 Airbus A321s was placed. Meanwhile more routes to West and Central African cities were opened.

The business plan of RAM was now changing, from providing flights to meet the demands of foreign tourists and Moroccan expatriates, to providing connections between European cities and African cities via the Casablanca hub. In 2002, the company leased 2 767s to replace the single 747 in North American routes and in 2004, the low-cost subsidiary, Atlas Blue, was set up with its main base in Marrakesh. 6 Boeing 737-400 were transferred to it with the aim of providing tourists with a direct route to Moroccan resort towns. In 2005, the company ordered 4 Boeing 787s to replace the leased 767s and expand North American, Middle Eastern, and African routes. It was announced in early 2006 that RAM and Atlas Blue had transported a record-breaking 4 million passengers in the previous fiscal year.

[edit] The future

In late 2005 an Open-Sky agreement was signed between Morocco and the EU. This means that Royal Air Maroc will have to face tough completion from Low Cost Carriers eager to exploit profitable routes between Western Europe and Morocco. A further challenge arises from the high cost of kerosene and the fact that the company may have to drop some of its unprofitable domestic and international routes. The construction of a second terminal at the Mohammed V airport will provide RAM with more growth opportunities.

[edit] Stakes and Ownership

The Moroccan government owns 95.95% of the airline and Air France 2.86%. The government intends to partially privatise the airline through the sale of a 25% holding. Royal Air Maroc has 5,719 employees. Royal Air Maroc has a 99% holding in Atlas Blue, 51% in Air Senegal International, 51% in Air Gabon International and 51% in Air Mauritanie.