Moroccan Transport Minister Addresses Soaring Airfare for Diaspora’s Summer Return

"Ticket prices have indeed seen a sharp increase compared to 2019, that is, before the international crises and geopolitical fluctuations that the world has experienced since that year," Mohamed Abdeljalil said on Monday in response to questions from deputies in the House of Representatives, adding that "fair competition and diversification of the offer are the main levers to improve ticket prices."

Regarding Royal Air Maroc, the Minister of Transport and Logistics assured that the airline "is strengthening its lines during this period which is seeing an influx of Moroccans living abroad," and that the prices of its tickets "are subject to management aimed at adapting them to the market in order to strengthen its financial balance." "The price of a direct flight ticket from Royal Air Maroc from New York to Casablanca is currently $1,600 and only $1,000 via Paris," he details.

The official also indicated that "open skies allow Moroccans residing abroad to access direct lines with the international companies of the countries concerned as well as indirect lines via the hubs of these companies, knowing that indirect tickets are 20 to 40% cheaper; this model is widespread in the world." During the Marhaba 2023 Operation, more than 3 million Moroccans living abroad arrived in Morocco, including 1.7 million by sea and 1.5 million by air," he recalled.

The government member points out "a sevenfold increase in the number of air transport users over the past twenty years." As for maritime transport, it plays an "important role for the connection to and from the Kingdom, especially in summer through the Marhaba Operation," said Mohamed Abdeljalil, assuring that his department has "mobilized a fleet with a capacity of 500,000 passengers per week through 11 maritime lines to "intensify and diversify the supply of this transport."