Royal Air Maroc announced a temporary suspension of several international flights late Saturday into Sunday, attributing this decision to the soaring prices of aviation fuel, specifically kerosene. This surge in costs has been linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with a decline in demand across certain airline routes.
In an official statement, Royal Air Maroc explained that the extraordinary increase in operational costs has significantly impacted the global aviation sector. As a result, many airlines have been compelled to reassess their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacity in order to mitigate potential losses. Flights that have been suspended include routes from Casablanca to Bangui, Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Douala, Yaoundé, Libreville, as well as from Tangier to Malaga, Barcelona, and from Marrakech to Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Brussels.
A source from Royal Air Maroc, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the press, revealed that the tripling of kerosene prices in the international market, compared to their levels before the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, prompted the airline's management to reconsider the scheduling of several routes that were experiencing reduced demand.
The source further elaborated that the increase in production costs, stemming from the repercussions of the ongoing conflict, has halted operations on several routes that were incurring significant losses for the airline. Kerosene, which typically constitutes between 15% and 30% of an airline's total operating expenses, has become a critical factor, sometimes surpassing the budget allocated for human resources within these companies.
While the rise in aviation fuel prices has led other airlines to increase ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has, as of now, not adjusted its ticket pricing strategy in line with international market developments. The airline affirmed its commitment to take all necessary measures to support affected passengers during this temporary suspension. They stated that they are closely monitoring international developments and will work towards gradually resuming these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
