In a recent announcement made late Saturday into Sunday, Royal Air Maroc has declared a temporary suspension of several international flights due to surging jet fuel prices, specifically kerosene. This price hike is attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, coupled with a decline in demand for certain airline routes. The airline's statement linked this decision to the extraordinary rise in operational costs that have significantly impacted the global aviation sector, prompting many airlines to reassess their flight schedules and temporarily adjust their capacity to mitigate further losses.
As part of this temporary measure, Royal Air Maroc will halt 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. A source within Royal Air Maroc, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the press, indicated that the soaring prices of kerosene, which have tripled in the international market compared to pre-U.S.-Israeli war levels against Iran, have compelled the airline's management to reevaluate its scheduling for routes experiencing reduced demand.
The source explained further in a conversation with Al-Arabi Al-Jadid that the increased production costs stemming from the war have halted several routes that were incurring substantial losses for the airline. Kerosene typically constitutes a significant portion of airlines' operating expenses, usually ranging from 15% to 30% of total costs, and can sometimes exceed the budget allocated for human resources within these companies. While the rise in jet fuel prices has led some airlines to increase ticket prices, Royal Air Maroc has, as of now, refrained from adjusting its ticket prices or revising its pricing policy to align with international market developments.
Additionally, Royal Air Maroc has assured that it will take all necessary measures to support passengers affected by this suspension. The airline is closely monitoring international developments and will gradually resume these routes as soon as operational and economic conditions permit.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
