Royal Air Maroc
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Royal Air Maroc (commonly called RAM) is the national airline of Morocco and based in Casablanca. It operates scheduled international flights from Morocco to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. A domestic and charter network (including Hadj flights), are also operated. Its main base is Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Casablanca.
Royal Air Maroc is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.
Code Data
History
First days
The company was founded in 1953 as Compagnie Cherifienne des Transports Aeriens (CCTA). Initially, Junkers Ju-52 tri-engine aircraft started local services; these aircraft were soon replaced by DC-3s and Lockheed Constellations. The name Royal Air Maroc was adopted after independence and the company began flying international routes in 1957 from its main base in Casablanca.
The Jet Age
The Jet Age began for Royal Air Maroc in 1958 with the introduction of the first Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelles. These flew to European routes such as Paris and Madrid until the middle of the 1970s when they began to be phased out in favor of Boeing 727s. 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 various destinations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and finally North Africa.The 1980s
After having consolidated its position as a regional player, Royal Air Maroc continued to expand in the 1980s. More profitable routes were opened or expanded, frequencies increased and new aircraft were introduced to modernize and upgrade the fleet. Boeing 757s were purchased in 1986 in order to supplement the current aircraft and eventually replace the oldest 727s. In addition the expansion of the Casablanca Mohammed V airport in 1984 provided the company with a more modern base that was well adapted to its current and future needs.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. In addition, in order to consolidate its North American operations, Royal Air Maroc purchased a single 747-400. As the decade progressed, new routes to previously underserved African airports were opened.2000-Present
With an increasing number of passengers and newly opened routes as well as a skyrocketing oil price, the company management realized the need to introduce brand new aircraft to the fleet. In 2000 an order for 20 Next Generation Boeing 737 aircraft and 4 Airbus A321s was placed. Meanwhile more routes to main West and Central African cities were opened. It was clear at this point that the business plan of RAM was changing from providing flights to meet the demands of foreign tourists and Moroccan expatriates to providing connections between large and mid-sized European metropolises with most African capital cities via the Casablanca hub. In 2002, the company leased 2 767s to replace the single 747 in North American routes and in 2004, the low-cost subsidiary, Atlas Blue, was set up with its main base in Marrakesh. 6 Boeing 737-400 were transferred to it with the aim of providing tourists with a direct and inexpensive way to reach Moroccan resort towns. In 2005, the company ordered 4 Boeing 787s in order to replace the leased 767s and expand North American, Middle Eastern, and African routes. It was announced in early 2006 that RAM and Atlas Blue had transported a record-breaking 4 million passengers in the previous fiscal year.The future
In late 2005 an Open-Sky agreement was signed between Morocco and the EU. This means that Royal Air Maroc will have to face tough completion from LCCs eager to exploit profitable routes between Western Europe and Morocco. A further challenge arises from the extremely high cost of kerosene and the fact that the company may have to drop some of its unprofitable domestic and international routes. On a more positive note, the current construction of a second terminal at the Mohammed V airport will provide RAM with more growth opportunities.Stakes and Ownership
The Moroccan government owns 95.95% of the airline and Air France 2.86%. The government intends to partially privatise the airline through the sale of a 25% holding. Royal Air Maroc has 5719 employees. Royal Air Maroc has a 99% holding in Atlas Blue, 51% in Air Senegal International and 51% in Air Gabon International.Services
see full article: Royal Air Maroc destinations.Fleet
The Royal Air Maroc fleet consists of the following aircraft (at April 2006):- 3 Airbus A321-200 (one operating for Atlas Blue)
- 11 Boeing 737-800
- 6 Boeing 737-700
- 6 Boeing 737-500
- 6 Boeing 737-400 (operating for Atlas Blue)
- 1 Boeing 737-200 (Cargo)
- 1 Boeing 747-400
- 2 Boeing 757-200
- 3 Boeing 767-300
- 2 ATR 42-300
- 5 Boeing 787s (unknown variant, on order)
On July 31, 2005, RAM announced that it is negotiating the purchase of 5 Dreamliners with Boeing. [link]
In 2006, it adds Boeing 737-700 ( registered CN-ROD),1st 737 with winglets, 2 737-800 (registered CN-ROE and CN-ROH)and a Boeing 767-300ER in partial livery (CN-ROG).
Incidents and accidents
On April 1 1970, a Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle crashed on approach to Casablanca Mohammad V airport when it lost control at a height of about 500 feet. The fuselage broke in two. 61 of the 82 passengers and crew were killed.On December 22 1973, another Caravelle, leased from Sobelair, crashed near Tangiers Airport (TNG) when the pilot, during a storm, engaged the outbound procedural turn too far east causing the plane to overfly hazardous terrain and eventually crash. All 106 passengers and crew on board were killed.
On August 21 1994, an ATR 42-300 operating the domestic Agadir-Casablanca route lost control at 16000 feet, entered a steep dive, and crashed into nearby mountains. Investigators suspect that the pilot deliberately disengaged the autopilot and directed the aircraft into the ground. All 44 passengers and crew memebers were killed.
External links
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