Royal Air Maroc, often abbreviated as RAM, was established in July 1953. It serves as the Moroccan National Carrier and is the largest airline in the country. This government-owned airline is headquartered at Casablanca-Anfa Airport and became a member of the Oneworld Alliance in 2020.

Operating from its base at Mohammed V International Airport, the airline covers a domestic network within Morocco and offers scheduled international flights to destinations across Africa, Europe, North and South America, and Asia. Additionally, it provides occasional charter flights, including Hajj services.

History

With focus cities in Marrakesh and Tangier, Royal Air Maroc operates the Safar Flyer frequent flyer program and includes subsidiaries like RAM Cargo and RAM Express.

Founded in July 1953, the airline's initial fleet consisted of six Bretagnes, four Commandos, five DC-3s, and two Languedocs. These aircraft served routes previously operated by predecessor companies and expanded to include cities like Geneva, Paris, and Frankfurt.

Early Years

On June 28, 1957, Royal Air Maroc officially formed, with the Moroccan government holding a 67.73% stake. The airline began offering Hajj flights in 1957. By April 1958, the fleet had grown to 16 aircraft, including four DC-4s, three DC-3s, seven Bretagnes, and two C-46s. In May 1958, the airline placed an order for two Caravelles. In July, long-haul routes were inaugurated using four Lockheed L-749 Constellations leased from Air France. The coastal Oran-Oujda route was briefly suspended but resumed shortly after.

Royal Air Maroc started serving Gibraltar in 1958, which allowed the airline to retire its DC-4s upon the arrival of Constellations. By April 1960, the fleet included one Caravelle alongside four L-749 Constellations and three DC-3s. The Caravelle became the airline's first jet aircraft. In July 1961, the airline introduced the Rabat-Bamako route. The fleet expanded to include three Caravelles by 1964, with a fourth ordered the same year.

In April 1965, the airline employed approximately 758 people, and its chairman was Mohammed Al Fassi. The route network covered services within North Africa and connected North Africa to Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. Ownership was divided among the Government of Morocco (64%), Air France (21%), and other entities such as Aviacion y Comercio (5%), Transatlantique (7.6%), and others (2.4%).

1970s

In 1969, the airline placed its first order with Boeing, receiving its first Boeing aircraft, a Boeing 727-200, in 1970. The airline introduced Royal Air Inter, a subsidiary, in early 1970 to operate domestic routes using Fokker F-27 Friendship aircraft. Royal Air Inter commenced operations on April 2, 1970, serving cities like Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Oujda, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakesh, Tetouan, and Al Hoceima by May 1971.

By March 1975, the fleet consisted of 11 aircraft, including Boeing 707s and Boeing 727-200s.

In 1975, Royal Air Maroc became the first Arab airline to serve multiple destinations. In the same year, the airline acquired three Boeing 737-200s to replace its Caravelles. It also initiated a weekly non-stop service to Rio De Janeiro.

Corporate Affairs

As of 2018, the Moroccan Government owned Royal Air Maroc, with a direct 53.94% stake and an additional 44.10% held through the Hassan II Fund for social and economic development. The remaining 2% of shares were owned by private investors, including Iberia and Air France.

The government has considered privatizing the airline for approximately 20 years. As of 2012, the airline company operates several subsidiaries:

• Royal Air Maroc
• RAM Academy
• RAM Cargo
• Royal Air Maroc Express
• Atlas Aerotechnic Industries