Casablanca – Royal Air Maroc has expanded its fleet to a record 69 aircraft following the arrival of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8, as Morocco’s national carrier continues to increase capacity and prepare for stronger demand for international air travel.

The aircraft, registered CN-RHR, was delivered in Casablanca on August 27. It is the 18th Boeing 737 MAX 8 to join the Royal Air Maroc fleet and further increases the role of the model in the airline’s short- and medium-haul operations.

With the latest delivery, the number of Boeing single-aisle aircraft operated by Royal Air Maroc and its regional subsidiary RAM Express has reached 45. The 737 MAX 8 is being used primarily on medium-haul routes connecting Morocco with Europe, West Africa and the Middle East, while its range and passenger capacity also allow the airline to deploy it across a wider selection of international services.

The arrival of the new aircraft is part of a broader fleet modernization program that has gained pace in recent years. Royal Air Maroc has been adding aircraft while simultaneously expanding its international network, with the aim of increasing the number of destinations it serves directly and strengthening Casablanca’s position as a major connecting hub.

The airline’s development plan calls for an average of 10 to 15 aircraft to be integrated into its fleet each year. Each aircraft undergoes technical checks and preparation before entering commercial service to ensure that it complies with international aviation requirements and Royal Air Maroc’s operational standards.

The current fleet expansion is linked to a long-term program agreed between the Moroccan government and Royal Air Maroc in July 2023. Under the program, the carrier aims to increase its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037. The objective represents a major expansion from the current fleet size and is intended to provide the airline with the capacity required to handle substantially higher passenger numbers.

The plan also places Casablanca at the center of Royal Air Maroc’s future development. Mohammed V International Airport is expected to remain the carrier’s principal hub, allowing it to connect passengers between Morocco, Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

The airline has already been expanding its route network to support this strategy. During the past several months, Royal Air Maroc has introduced direct connections to a number of major cities and markets. These include Beijing, São Paulo, Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, Manchester and N’Djamena.

The expansion also covers additional European destinations, with services involving cities such as Alicante, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, Verona and Lille. In Africa and the Middle East, the carrier has developed connections including Pointe-Noire, Tripoli and Beirut.

These additions are increasing the number of international markets accessible directly from Morocco and are also creating more opportunities for passengers to use Casablanca as a connecting point.

Royal Air Maroc is not relying exclusively on newly delivered aircraft to support its growth. Leasing is also being used as a short- and medium-term solution while the airline waits for aircraft linked to its much larger future procurement program.

The carrier is expected to receive six Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft through a leasing arrangement with Aviation Capital Group. These aircraft are intended to increase capacity on short- and medium-haul routes before the next phase of the airline’s long-term fleet program begins.

The use of leased aircraft gives Royal Air Maroc greater flexibility during the transition period. Instead of waiting several years for all aircraft ordered under its future procurement strategy to arrive, the airline can add capacity progressively and respond more quickly to changes in passenger demand.

The larger procurement program could eventually transform the size and composition of the carrier’s fleet. Royal Air Maroc launched a tender in April 2024 covering up to 200 aircraft, with Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and ATR among the manufacturers involved in the competition.

The planned acquisition is expected to include both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. Around 75% of the future fleet is expected to consist of narrow-body planes for regional and medium-haul operations, while approximately 25% would be wide-body aircraft designed for longer international routes.

Potential Boeing deliveries could include as many as 50 Boeing 737 aircraft for short- and medium-haul services and around 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-distance operations. Deliveries connected to the major procurement program are expected to begin from 2028.

Until then, Royal Air Maroc is expected to continue using a combination of newly delivered and leased aircraft to increase its operating capacity.

The expansion is taking place while Boeing continues to deal with production constraints, supply-chain challenges and delays affecting certain versions of the 737 MAX family. Technical and certification issues have affected the development of some aircraft, making the timing of deliveries an important consideration for airlines pursuing rapid fleet growth.

Royal Air Maroc has previously sought to accelerate aircraft deliveries where possible. Two aircraft that had initially been scheduled for delivery in 2026 were brought forward to 2025, helping the airline increase capacity sooner.

The carrier’s fleet strategy is closely connected to the expected growth of Morocco’s tourism and aviation sectors. Morocco is targeting continued increases in international visitor numbers and is preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

The expected increase in visitors will require greater air connectivity and additional passenger-handling capacity. Royal Air Maroc, as the national carrier, is expected to play an important role in transporting visitors to Morocco and providing connections between international markets.

Airport infrastructure is also being developed to support this growth. Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport is expected to undergo further expansion, with plans aimed at significantly increasing its passenger-handling capacity.

The development of airport infrastructure and the expansion of Royal Air Maroc’s fleet are therefore closely connected. More aircraft and new routes will require additional terminal capacity, while expanded airport facilities will allow the airline to increase frequencies and establish further international connections.

The strategy also reflects Morocco’s geographic position between Europe, Africa and the Atlantic. Casablanca can serve as a transfer point for passengers traveling between African cities and European, North American, South American and Asian destinations.

A larger fleet would give Royal Air Maroc more flexibility to increase frequencies on established routes, launch additional direct services and deploy aircraft according to seasonal demand.

The 69-aircraft fleet reached with the arrival of the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 is therefore an intermediate stage in a much larger expansion process. The airline remains well below its target of 200 aircraft, but the combination of new deliveries, leased aircraft and the planned long-term procurement program provides several avenues for continued growth.

Royal Air Maroc’s expansion is expected to continue over the coming years as the carrier seeks to increase passenger capacity, widen its international network and strengthen Casablanca as an aviation hub. The success of this strategy will depend on the pace of aircraft deliveries, airport infrastructure development and the evolution of demand across the markets served by the airline.