CASABLANCA — Royal Air Maroc is joining oneworld in mid-2020, making it the first full member from the continent of Africa.
The news was announced by oneworld’s Chief Executives at its year-end Governing Board meeting in New York, just weeks before the alliance celebrates the 20th anniversary of its launch.
By joining, Royal Air Maroc’s passengers will gain access to the full range of services and benefits that are currently enjoyed by oneworld’s 13-member airlines. Plus, the one million-plus members of Royal Air Maroc’s Safar Flyer loyalty program will be able to earn and redeem rewards on all oneworld member airlines, while its top-tier members will be able to use the alliance’s more than 650 airport lounges worldwide.
Its regional subsidiary, Royal air Maroc Express, will also join as a oneworld affiliate member at the same time.
On the significance of Royal Air Maroc joining the alliance, Alan Joyce, oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Group CEO of Qantas, said: “Africa is the last major region where oneworld does not have a full member airline, and has one of the fastest predicted air travel growth rates over the next few decades. Royal air Maroc will deliver greater value for more customers worldwide as we expand our alliance network to a new region.”
Royal Air Maroc CEO Abdelhamid Addou added: “We look forward to completing our flight onboard speedily and smoothly so that we can offer the services and benefits of the world’s best airline alliance to our customers and across our own network as soon as possible. This undoubtedly represents one of the most significant landmarks in our airline’s 60-year history, and on our journey to establish Royal Air Maroc as the leading airline of Africa.’
Royal Air Maroc is the largest unaligned carrier in Africa today, having carried 7.3 million passengers in 2017 on a fleet of 55 aircraft. Its schedule today will add 34 new destinations and 21 countries to the oneworld map, taking the alliance’s network to 1,069 airports in 178 countries and territories.
Under the carrier’s five-year plan, it plans to expand its fleet significantly and carry 13 million passengers a year across a global network that serves 121 destinations in 68 countries.
Three oneworld member airlines – British Airways, Iberia and Qatar Airways – currently serve three destinations in Morocco between them: Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier.
