Macron Visit May Seal Airbus Deal with Royal Air Maroc, Sidelining Boeing

Who between Airbus or Boeing will win the big Royal Air Maroc (RAM) market? Morocco could turn to Airbus. Moreover, the acquisition by RAM of new aircraft will be the subject of discussions during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Morocco scheduled for October 28-30. These discussions could lead to the signing of an agreement.

The ambition of the national airline is to expand its fleet of aircraft with nearly 200 new aircraft in order to support the implementation of the strategic roadmap for the development of the tourism sector for the period 2023-2026 and to meet the needs of the World Cup that Morocco will co-host in 2030 with Spain and Portugal. The difficulties encountered by the American manufacturer Boeing, particularly due to the strikes paralyzing its assembly plants in Renton and Everett in the United States, could benefit Airbus.

Currently, Boeing is unable to deliver two Dreamliners to RAM. These planes are supposed to strengthen the fleet that will serve three strategic destinations starting next December and January: Toronto, São Paulo and Beijing. The delivery was supposed to be effective in September. This situation could push RAM to order aircraft from Airbus, which performs the final assembly of the A320 family, as well as the A330, A350 and A380 at its headquarters in Toulouse.