Moroccan Americans Outraged by Royal Air Maroc’s Soaring Flight Prices

"The price of Royal Air Maroc tickets is very exaggerated from the US to Morocco: $2,000," fumes a Moroccan Internet user on Twitter. "And from Europe to Morocco between 450€ and 600€ and God only knows why Morocco has become one of the most expensive countries in the world." In May 2023, a round-trip ticket between Washington-Dulles International Airport and Mohammed V in Casablanca costs the astronomical sum of $2,260 in economy class. On Facebook, another Moroccan Internet user calls on RAM to review its fares between Morocco and the United States. "A message from the Moroccan community to Royal Air Maroc @RAM_Maroc Please reconsider your prices. [...] We are the community residing in America and Canada."

This rise in ticket prices prevents some Moroccans living in the United States from returning to Morocco. This is the case of an MRE who confided in Morocco World News on condition of anonymity. He says he is unable to pay exorbitant rates and has therefore decided to go to Spain rather than Morocco this year. He points out the significant difference between a Royal Air Maroc flight from Washington or New York to Casablanca, whose price is around $1,800, and an Iberia flight from Washington or New York to Madrid, whose price is around $800.

"Royal Air Maroc operates according to a purely commercial logic, which is incompatible with the public policies promoted by the State towards the Moroccan diaspora," denounces Youssef Saoud, a Moroccan data miner working in Washington DC, in a message posted on Facebook. "It is quite natural for the company to give priority to serving this specific category of Moroccans. It should not be seen as a mere financial transaction, but rather as a way for one group to contribute to the other by facilitating visits through tax incentives and other appropriate measures."

The complaints of the MREs seem to be receiving some echo from the airline side. A Royal Air Maroc source said the company would explore the possibility of reducing prices.