Royal Air Maroc Prepares for Flight Resumption Amid COVID-19 Screening

The resumption of RAM’s activities will depend on the financial support of the government, which could demand a reduction in the workforce and operating costs of the company, reports Jeune Afrique. This screening campaign for its employees, launched on June 17, is clearly taking place with some apprehension. The staff is participating in this COVID-19 screening campaign at Mohammed V Airport and the Casablanca headquarters, while fearing the upcoming decisions of top management.

Even though activities have resumed at the various RAM sites since June 11, after three months of teleworking, the future is hardly reassuring for these thousands of airline employees.

This apprehension follows the speech of the Minister of Tourism last week before the people’s representatives. Nadia Fettah had announced in veiled terms a resumption of RAM’s activities that could impact the workforce and the company’s fleet. "The national company RAM has established an austerity plan accompanied by a range of measures to fight against the repercussions of the crisis." According to a source close to the file, the company has an urgent need for financial support.

The Moroccan state cannot commit to a new contract with the company if it does not cut its workforce or reduce its fleet of 59 aircraft grounded since the closure of airspaces.

For now, RAM has not yet specified the number of jobs that could be cut. According to the same media, the extent of the cuts will logically depend on the amount of the envelope that the state will make available to the company. In addition, the company will have to get rid of its representative offices, which cost it a lot of money.