RAM Pilots Fly First Airbus A320s as Morocco's AFCON Traffic Soars

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has temporarily boosted its fleet capacity by chartering four Airbus A320 aircraft. This move addresses an unprecedented surge in air travel. The demand is driven by the year-end holiday rush and the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco. This deployment is notable as it marks the first time the national carrier has operated the Airbus model within its main fleet, which has historically relied on Boeing jets.

Operational Strategy and Fleet Mix

The four Airbus A320s were secured through wet-lease aircraft capacity agreements. They were leased from specialized operators, Avion Express Malta and Heston Airlines. A wet lease, or ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) charter, is a common industry practice for rapid capacity expansion.

According to reports, the chartered aircraft arrived with their own flight crews. This was necessary because RAM pilots are not yet certified to operate Airbus models. However, RAM’s own cabin crew were assigned to the flights. This ensures the airline’s consistent service quality and hospitality standards are maintained during this peak period. The planes were delivered in mid-December and quickly entered service on key international routes.

Key Route Deployments

The temporary Royal Air Maroc Airbus A320 fleet is strategically deployed across high-demand routes:

• One aircraft, registered 9H-AMM, operates from RAM’s main hub at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN) to destinations in France, Belgium, and Italy.
• Aircraft LY-VUT primarily links Marrakech with French and Belgian cities.
• A third plane serves flights between Agadir and France, with additional rotations connecting Oujda and Paris.
• The fourth aircraft handles flights between Tanger, Nador, and Paris.

This immediate wet-lease aircraft capacity solution helps RAM manage the extraordinary traffic volumes linked to the AFCON 2025 tournament.

AFCON and Record Traffic Surge

The Africa Cup of Nations air travel has been a major catalyst for Morocco’s aviation sector. The National Airports Office (ONDA) confirmed that Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport (CMN) recently surpassed a historic milestone. The airport welcomed over 11 million passengers for the first time. This achievement was reached in late 2025. ONDA noted that annual passenger traffic is projected to reach 11.5 million by the end of 2025, a 9.3% increase from 2024.

This significant upsurge is largely driven by the influx of fans, official delegations, and international visitors for AFCON 2025. This highlights the Morocco aviation growth trajectory.

Long-Term Fleet Strategy: Boeing Airbus Competition

The temporary Airbus deployment occurs amid a major strategic rethink for the airline. RAM’s current fleet of about 60 aircraft is mostly composed of Boeing jets. This includes 737 and 787 models, supplemented by a few Embraer and ATR planes.

In April 2024, RAM issued a massive RAM fleet modernization tender to acquire up to 200 aircraft by 2037. This ambitious plan aims to quadruple the airline's fleet size. The airline is currently evaluating offers from major manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer.

RAM CEO Abdelhamid Addou confirmed that deliveries are expected to begin in 2028. The tender seeks a mix of aircraft, with approximately 75% being narrow-body models for regional routes. The remaining 25% will be wide-body jets for long-haul intercontinental routes.

This temporary reliance on the A320 fleet, coupled with a reported visit to Airbus facilities in Toulouse last year, underscores the Boeing Airbus competition for this landmark order. The decision will shape RAM’s operational future and its role as a key African air hub. For more insights on global airline strategies, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.

Industry Impact

• Operational Flexibility: The wet-lease strategy demonstrates RAM’s ability to quickly scale operations for major events like AFCON 2025.
• Market Signal: Operating Airbus aircraft, even temporarily, provides valuable data for the airline’s ongoing RAM fleet modernization tender evaluation.
• Infrastructure Stress: The record Casablanca Mohammed V Airport traffic necessitates Morocco’s parallel plan to increase national passenger capacity to 35 million by 2029.
• Future Fleet: The final decision on the 200-aircraft order will significantly impact the market share of both Airbus and Boeing in the rapidly expanding African aviation sector.