Royal Air Maroc (Arabic: الخطوط الملكية المغربية, Al-Khuṭũṭ al-Malikiyyah al-Maghribiyyah, literally Royal Moroccan Lines or Royal Moroccan Airlines; Berber: Amuddu Ugenna Ageldan Umerruk, MGGM), more commonly knows as simply RAM, is the flag carrier airline of Morocco.[1] Headquartered on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Casablanca, the carrier operates scheduled international flights from Morocco to Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America and a domestic flight, as well as charter flights that include Hajj services.[2] Its base is Mohammed V International Airport.
Early years
Royal Air Maroc—Compagnie Nationale de Transports Aériens was formed in July 1953 as a result of the merger of Compagnie Chérifienne de'l Air (Air Atlas) —setup in 1946 with Junkers Ju-52s— and Compagnie Chérifienne de Transports Aériens Air Maroc, that was founded in 1947 and commenced scheduled operations in 1949.[3] The fleet of the newly formed airline included six Bretagnes, four Commandos, five DC-3s and two Languedocs.[4] The name Royal Air Maroc was adopted on 28 June 1957, with the government of Morocco having a 67.73% stake.[3][5] The carrier's fleet comprised 16 aircraft by April 1958, including four DC-4s, three DC-3s, seven Bretagnes and two C-46s.[6]
[edit]The jet age
A Royal Air Maroc Caravelle at Brussels Airport in 1968. The carrier ordered its first two aircraft of the type in 1958.[7]:101
In May 1958, the airline ordered two Caravelles.[7]:101 One of these aircraft was part of the fleet of four L-749 Constellations, four DC-4s and three DC-3s by April 1960, making the Caravelle the first jet aircraft operated by the company; the other Caravelle was yet to be delivered.[3] Orders for a fourth and a fifth Caravelle followed in late 1964[8] and early 1968.[9] By 1969, all routes to Europe and North Africa were flown using solely these aircraft.[10] In the mid 1970s, they were phased out in favor of Boeing 727s.[citation needed] 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. The airline joined the International Air Transport Association in 1982.[11] New routes were opened and others expanded, while frequencies were increased and new aircraft were introduced.[vague] Boeing 757s were purchased in 1986 and eventually replaced the oldest 727s. The expansion of 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. To consolidate its North American operations, Royal Air Maroc purchased a single Boeing 747-400. As the decade progressed, new routes to previously under-served African airports were opened.
[edit]2000-present
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.
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 767.
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 two 767s to replace the single 747 in North American routes.
[edit]The future
Morocco and the EU signed an open skies agreement in late 2006. This means that Royal Air Maroc will have to face tough competition 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 third terminal and runway began at Mohammed V airport in late 2005.
[edit]Corporate affairs
[edit]Key people
As of December 2012, Royal Air Maroc's CEO position is held by Driss Benhima,[12][13] who took office in February 2006.[14]
[edit]Head office
Royal Air Maroc has its head office on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Casablanca.[15] In 2004 the airline announced that it would move its head office from Casablanca to the Nouaceur Province, near Mohammed V International Airport. MAP, the official state news agency, said that the construction of the headquarters and a 500 room conference hotel would take 1 year and 6 months.[16] The agreement to build the head office in Nouaceur was signed in 2009.[17]
[edit]Ownership and subsidiaries
A Boeing 737-400 wearing a combined Royal Air Maroc/Atlas Blue livery in 2009. The Atlas Blue fleet was merged with the parent company's one in 2011.[18]
The airline is owned 95.95% by the Moroccan government, 2.86% by Air France and 0.95% by International Airlines Group. The government intends to partially privatise the airline through the sale of a 25% holding. Royal Air Maroc has 5,719 employees.[timeframe?]
As of December 2012, The Group Royal Air Maroc has the following subsidiaries:[citation needed]
morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco
Early years
Royal Air Maroc—Compagnie Nationale de Transports Aériens was formed in July 1953 as a result of the merger of Compagnie Chérifienne de'l Air (Air Atlas) —setup in 1946 with Junkers Ju-52s— and Compagnie Chérifienne de Transports Aériens Air Maroc, that was founded in 1947 and commenced scheduled operations in 1949.[3] The fleet of the newly formed airline included six Bretagnes, four Commandos, five DC-3s and two Languedocs.[4] The name Royal Air Maroc was adopted on 28 June 1957, with the government of Morocco having a 67.73% stake.[3][5] The carrier's fleet comprised 16 aircraft by April 1958, including four DC-4s, three DC-3s, seven Bretagnes and two C-46s.[6]
[edit]The jet age
A Royal Air Maroc Caravelle at Brussels Airport in 1968. The carrier ordered its first two aircraft of the type in 1958.[7]:101
In May 1958, the airline ordered two Caravelles.[7]:101 One of these aircraft was part of the fleet of four L-749 Constellations, four DC-4s and three DC-3s by April 1960, making the Caravelle the first jet aircraft operated by the company; the other Caravelle was yet to be delivered.[3] Orders for a fourth and a fifth Caravelle followed in late 1964[8] and early 1968.[9] By 1969, all routes to Europe and North Africa were flown using solely these aircraft.[10] In the mid 1970s, they were phased out in favor of Boeing 727s.[citation needed] 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. The airline joined the International Air Transport Association in 1982.[11] New routes were opened and others expanded, while frequencies were increased and new aircraft were introduced.[vague] Boeing 757s were purchased in 1986 and eventually replaced the oldest 727s. The expansion of 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. To consolidate its North American operations, Royal Air Maroc purchased a single Boeing 747-400. As the decade progressed, new routes to previously under-served African airports were opened.
[edit]2000-present
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.
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 767.
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 two 767s to replace the single 747 in North American routes.
[edit]The future
Morocco and the EU signed an open skies agreement in late 2006. This means that Royal Air Maroc will have to face tough competition 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 third terminal and runway began at Mohammed V airport in late 2005.
[edit]Corporate affairs
[edit]Key people
As of December 2012, Royal Air Maroc's CEO position is held by Driss Benhima,[12][13] who took office in February 2006.[14]
[edit]Head office
Royal Air Maroc has its head office on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Casablanca.[15] In 2004 the airline announced that it would move its head office from Casablanca to the Nouaceur Province, near Mohammed V International Airport. MAP, the official state news agency, said that the construction of the headquarters and a 500 room conference hotel would take 1 year and 6 months.[16] The agreement to build the head office in Nouaceur was signed in 2009.[17]
[edit]Ownership and subsidiaries
A Boeing 737-400 wearing a combined Royal Air Maroc/Atlas Blue livery in 2009. The Atlas Blue fleet was merged with the parent company's one in 2011.[18]
The airline is owned 95.95% by the Moroccan government, 2.86% by Air France and 0.95% by International Airlines Group. The government intends to partially privatise the airline through the sale of a 25% holding. Royal Air Maroc has 5,719 employees.[timeframe?]
As of December 2012, The Group Royal Air Maroc has the following subsidiaries:[citation needed]
morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco
