France Restricts Royal Air Maroc Flights Amid Aviation Dispute with Morocco

This decision is the consequence of the tug-of-war between the Moroccan and French civil aviation authorities, reports Le360. It comes a few days after the launch of a hostile campaign against the national airline, accused by some French media of "exercising a de facto monopoly on routes linking Morocco to France."

According to the French authorities, the special flights of the two Moroccan companies should be used exclusively for the repatriation of Moroccans and foreign residents stranded abroad. Like Air Arabia, RAM will no longer be able to continue to ensure flights in both directions between Morocco and France.

While for the moment, only Air Arabia customers are informed of the cancellation of flights scheduled for the period of August 4 to 10 from Morocco to France, the top management of Royal Air Maroc has simply suspended the marketing of flights planned during this period, pending the final verdict of the ongoing discussions between the authorities of the two countries.

For a RAM official, the national company has not lost hope that the French civil aviation will reconsider its decision. He also emphasized the "social" aspect of the flights departing from Morocco in the aftermath of Eid, mainly intended for students, Moroccans living abroad and families of foreign residents in Morocco.

In addition, this deadline could be postponed in the event of an extension of the state of health emergency. As a result, RAM and Air Arabia customers could find themselves in an embarrassing situation. Unless the French airline agrees to take over these flights in one direction.