Royal Air Maroc's Flight Suspension Due to Rising Fuel Prices
Royal Air Maroc announced a temporary suspension of several international flights during the night from Saturday to Sunday, attributing this decision to the soaring prices of jet fuel, specifically kerosene, which have escalated due to the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with a decline in demand for certain air routes. The airline issued a statement linking this flight suspension to an extraordinary increase in operating costs that has significantly impacted the global aviation sector. This financial strain has compelled many airlines to reevaluate their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacity in an effort to avoid further losses.
In this context, Royal Air Maroc has temporarily suspended flights on the following routes: Casablanca – Bangui, Casablanca – Brazzaville, Casablanca – Kinshasa, Casablanca – Douala, Casablanca – Yaoundé, Casablanca – Libreville, Tangier – Malaga, Tangier – Barcelona, Marrakech – Lyon, Marrakech – Bordeaux, Marrakech – Marseille, and Marrakech – Brussels. According to an unnamed source from Royal Air Maroc, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press, the dramatic rise in kerosene prices—tripling in the international market compared to levels before the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran—has forced the airline management to reconsider the scheduling of numerous flights and destinations experiencing decreased demand.
The source further elaborated in an interview with 'Al-Arabi Al-Jadid' that the increase in production costs due to the war's ramifications has halted several routes that were incurring significant losses for the airline. Kerosene is a crucial component of airlines' operational expenses, typically accounting for between 15% and 30% of total costs, and in some instances, this expense can even surpass the budget allocated for human resources within the companies. While the surge in jet fuel prices has prompted several airlines to raise ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has, until now, refrained from increasing its ticket prices or adjusting its pricing policy in line with international market developments.
Moreover, Royal Air Maroc has confirmed that it will take all necessary measures to support passengers affected by this flight suspension. The airline stated that it is closely monitoring the international situation and will work towards gradually resuming these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
