African Skies Showdown: Air Algérie Struggles to Catch Royal Air Maroc’s Continental Dominance

"While RAM is strengthening its expansion strategy on the continent, the Algerian company is reorienting its roadmap, slowed down by diplomatic tensions but boosted by a reaffirmed political will," writes Jeune Afrique, who attempts a comparison between the Moroccan airline and Air Algérie. The weekly magazine shows that with a turnover of $1.7 billion in 2024 and a network serving 89 international destinations, including 28 in sub-Saharan Africa, RAM positions itself not only as a carrier, but also as a strategic vector of Moroccan soft power. Furthermore, the Moroccan company embodies a diplomacy of influence based on decades of investment, cooperation and African alliances, it is specified.

In order to better meet the challenges posed by Morocco’s organization of major sporting events such as the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2025) and the 2030 World Cup, RAM is accelerating its development. The company plans to triple its fleet, from 50 to 130 aircraft by 2030, with a final objective of 200 aircraft by 2037, including Boeing 737, 787 and Embraer 190. The company plans to acquire a dozen new aircraft to enable it to respond to new routes opened in Africa, including N’Djamena, Khartoum or Kigali.

Its roadmap can be summarized in several points: multiply African connections, strengthen South-South interconnectivity and position Casablanca as a major hub between Africa, Europe and America. In addition to these actions, the company is developing targeted bilateral agreements, particularly with Air Sénégal and Mauritania Airlines, in order to densify its regional network, while maintaining a high level of service and connectivity. After its Oneworld alliance in 2020, it has established itself as the second largest airline on the continent, behind Ethiopian Airlines, and aspires to make Morocco a reference air platform.

Meanwhile, Air Algérie is struggling to stabilize on the African scene. Even its attempt to break into Central and Eastern Africa (Zanzibar, Gabon, Ethiopia...) is hampered by diplomatic tensions, particularly with Mali, and the lack of solid partnerships. In contrast to RAM, the Algerian company operates outside any international alliance, limiting its ability to pool costs or expand its routes through code-sharing agreements.

In short, the direct comparison between Royal Air Maroc and Air Algérie remains unequal.