Royal Air Maroc Boosts Links to Moscow

North African carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is to increase the frequency of its flights to the Russian capital Moscow from its developing Casablanca hub. The airline’s President, Driss Benhima revealed to The HUB at last week’s African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Marrakech, Morocco that RAM’s new business model puts a greater importance on developing frequency on routes from the Moroccan capital to enhance connectivity.

Earlier this year the national carrier cancelled many of its international flights from Agadir and Marrakech to focus on building Casablanca a regional hub. “We have had to focus on our core business,” said Driss Benhima. “Over the past four years there has been a 12 fold increase in traffic in and out of Morocco due to increasing competition and in particular the presence of low-cost airlines. It is all about surviving and we have had to reduce flights and concentrate on a hub-and-spoke concept at Casablanca to do just that.”

The fourth weekly frequency Casablanca and Moscow Sheremetyevo will be added from March 25, 2012, with all the rotations due to be operated using Boeing 737-800 equipment. An estimated 12,000 O&D passengers travelled on the route in the past year, more than double the figure for the previous 12 month period, when there were no direct flights.