In a significant announcement made late Saturday to early Sunday, Royal Air Maroc has temporarily suspended several international flight routes due to the soaring prices of aviation fuel, specifically kerosene. This rise in fuel prices is attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a decrease in demand for certain airline routes. The airline stated in its official communication that this decision is directly linked to the unprecedented increase in operational costs that have heavily impacted the global aviation sector, prompting numerous airlines to reassess their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacity to avoid further losses.
Specifically, Royal Air Maroc has announced the temporary suspension of flights on the following routes: Casablanca to Bangui, Casablanca to Brazzaville, Casablanca to Kinshasa, Casablanca to Douala, Casablanca to Yaoundé, Casablanca to Libreville, Tangier to Malaga, Tangier to Barcelona, Marrakech to Lyon, Marrakech to Bordeaux, Marrakech to Marseille, and Marrakech to Brussels. According to an anonymous source within the airline, who requested not to be named as they are not authorized to speak to the press, the price of kerosene has tripled in the international market when compared to its levels before the American-Israeli conflict with Iran. This drastic increase has compelled the airline's management to reconsider the scheduling of several routes that are experiencing a decline in demand.
Additionally, this source elaborated in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid that the rising production costs, exacerbated by the consequences of the ongoing conflict, have led to the suspension of certain routes that were incurring substantial losses for the company. Kerosene is a critical component of operational expenses for airlines, typically accounting for between 15% and 30% of total expenditures, and in some cases, these costs can even exceed the budget allocated for human resources within the companies. While many airlines have opted to increase ticket prices in response to rising fuel costs, Royal Air Maroc has, thus far, refrained from adjusting its ticket prices or revising its pricing strategy in line with international market developments.
Furthermore, Royal Air Maroc has confirmed that it will take all necessary measures to support affected passengers due to this suspension. The airline is closely monitoring the developments of the international situation and will gradually resume these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
