Royal Air Maroc is set to expand its operations by launching two new routes to the United States in 2026. The airline plans to introduce flights from Casablanca to Los Angeles, a significant addition to its route map, while also resuming its previous service to Boston.
Details of the New Routes
The anticipated launch of these routes is aimed for May 2026, coinciding with the peak travel season. Royal Air Maroc is expected to operate flights three times weekly on both routes.
The Los Angeles route, spanning approximately 5,205 nautical miles (9,640 km), will become the airline’s second-longest service, following the Casablanca to Beijing Daxing route. This will also mark the only African passenger service from Los Angeles and the West Coast of the United States.
Historical Context and Market Dynamics
- The airline previously operated flights to Boston from June 2019 to early 2020.
- Royal Air Maroc transported around 31,000 passengers during its last service to Massachusetts, with an average seat load of about 50%.
- Despite reaching a peak load factor of over 70% during the summer months, lower demand led to a swift decline in passenger numbers.
Projected Operations and Market Strategy
For both the Los Angeles and Boston routes, the airline will likely utilize its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, similar to its previous operations. The exact schedule and fare structures will be announced closer to the launch date.
With these new routes, Royal Air Maroc’s offerings to the U.S. will increase to five, a notable growth from the four routes in service in 2025. The inclusion of Boston and Los Angeles will boost the airline’s weekly departures to the U.S. to 30, reflecting a 25% capacity increase compared to the previous year.
Connections Beyond the Routes
The airline will not only serve the direct markets of Los Angeles and Boston, but also aim to capture connecting passengers traveling to Southern Europe, mainly Spain. The Casablanca to Los Angeles market has limited local demand, with around 15,000 round-trip passengers annually. Thus, most traffic will rely on international connections.
Future Outlook
Royal Air Maroc’s expansion comes amid a broader trend of increasing transatlantic routes to Morocco. Other airlines are exploring new connections, with Delta Air Lines launching flights from Atlanta to Marrakech and Air Transat initiating service from Montreal to Agadir.
This strategic growth aligns Royal Air Maroc with emerging aviation trends, expanding its reach and enhancing connectivity between North America and Africa.
