Morocco's flag carrier grounded key routes to Europe and Africa — with no return date confirmed. Royal Air Maroc has announced the temporary suspension of several routes to Europe and Africa, citing a sharp rise in the price of aviation fuel driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The state-owned carrier said it had been “forced” to take adaptation measures across its international network. The decision, it noted, stems from “the steep rise in kerosene prices as a direct consequence of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East”, compounded by softening demand on certain routes.
Forced to take adaptation measures across its international network.
— Royal Air Maroc official statement, via Moroccan News Agency (MAP), 23 May 2026
The suspensions affect routes from Marrakech to Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Brussels; from Casablanca to Bangui, Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Douala, Yaoundé and Libreville; and two links from Tangier to Barcelona and Málaga.
The trigger is broader than corporate belt-tightening. The American-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February, and Tehran’s subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have sent aviation fuel costs sharply higher — stoking fears over airline margins and pushing ticket prices up across the industry.
RAM said it would work to progressively restart the suspended routes “as soon as operational and economic conditions allow”, and pledged to support affected passengers.
The move is a setback for a carrier with ambitious plans: more than 98% state-owned, RAM launched a programme in 2023 targeting a fleet expansion from 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037.
- Source: MAP