Royal Air Maroc Dumping Nearly Half Of 787 Fleet

They're definitely going to get rid of the 787-9's. It's just curious that from an efficiency perspective, they're keeping the most expensive to operate aircraft (ie keeping the single 767? WTF?) They're keeping the ATR72's, which, while inexpensive operationally, are the only props in the fleet?

This is 100% short-term gain over long-term-impact. The aircraft they plan to get rid of are the ones most likely to generate the highest revenue with least impact to their existing network. The E190s, 737, and 787 - if sold - will generate the most short-term cash compared to the 767 and ATR72.

I'm going to guess they're thinking that if they can generate enough cash now, they'll accept the hit and then buy new planes 5 years from now when they're bleeding on maintenance with their aging fleet.

Sucks for passengers, but they only just got into OW, and now that they're in, I'm sure they are hoping to benefit from OW feed that they didn't previously have to offset their losses of moving passengers on their own metal. Maybe their thought is that they can let AA/BA/Iberia handle the long-haul while they can focus on intra-Africa connectivity for their new partners. Lower their overall risk...

Ben,

I wonder why you left the 747 out of the present fleet. AFAIK, It is still there and used rather a lot whenever the demand is there, Haj, holiday periods to/from Paris (ORY), etc...

What seemingly makes no sense is keeping the lone 767 which, in addition, is a wreck inside. It was used on the JFK run before the 787s. and was already looking like it was falling apart. Of course, it MAY be refurbished as a Royal VIP transport. Who knows?

Also, one would expect the Embraers to be useful whenever the demand is slacking like now. I flew one several times on the CMN-MAD run several times although the planned aircraft was a 737.

One problem with RAM is the coexistence of the best and the worst, such as the brilliand hub and spokes network to Africa / Europe established years ago at CMN with 737s, then letting it slowly deteriorate.

I'm curious if it makes people feel better that they lost massive amounts of money by investing in expansion right before a pandemic rather than in stock buybacks.

So sorry to see the reduced lift from the US. AA is not going to start their flight, so US travelers will continue to connect into CMN or RAK. Plus the loss of jobs is a serious issue in Morocco as those jobs are coveted.

I'm sure Tiffany's great review had many readers placing Morocco on their must visit list!

I wouldn't be so sure about RAM dropping MIA... In the past they've had (along with TP) some of the best fares from many cities in Europe to MIA in both Y and J. Sure, there are still travel restrictions in place, but one never knows. Additionally, now being OW members they will have plenty of connectivity in MIA.

Just to note that the sole remaining 767 has been converted into a freighter (CN-ROW). They are not just keeping a random single passenger variant (although it wouldn't surprise me too much if they had).

This is a real pity. RAM is such a gem of an airline and super handy backdoor points redemption to Europe...

Maybe they have to do this.

But dumping aircraft in the current market is a sign of desperation. It surely is a buyer's market these days. If anything, with SAA doing poorly, I would have liked to see them double down and make a play for connecting traffic to the Southern Africa market.

One question, can't they like lease their 787s to other airlines? at least they can rake up revenue from these aircraft. And RAM could have a chance of operating repatriation flights to countries like France where they can utilize their 787s? My advise? Retire the 767, lease out the A320s and use the 787s on repatriation flights where they can get a good load.

I had a nice flight on RTW19 2.0 JfK-CMN on the B787-9 with RH seats last May. Very nice flight. After 2 night at Hyatt Regency using CC free night, I flew Etihad B787-9 1st Class (1 of my favorite non-shower First 😉 to Abu Dhabi ! Two separate tickets, but about same miles as direct IAD-AUH 1st which wasn’t available.

Jon is correct in his analysis regarding the disposal of the 787-9's. Though I would hazard a guess that one of them may be reconfigured as the new Royal/VIP asset.

Personally I do not like RAM due to trip interruptions, flight cancellations-with no prior notice, and "Air Canada kind of crappy" cabin service quality, and poor storefront service (in Rabat).

I do however feel bad for the staff who may lose their jobs.

Point of clarification: RAM cancelled a flight, Marrakech-Casablanca two days before scheduled departure and failed to inform the passengers until we showed up at the airport. They had our itinerary and contact numbers. We had to take a taxi to Casablanca to catch our connecting flight to Tangier. Of course the taxi broke down.

Hilarious story now but not so much then. Overall we loved Morocco.

I suspect main reason they are getting rid of the 787-9s is because they have the best resale value in a depressed aircraft market. They can get a decent return for these almost new planes. Use the cash to get them through the next 12-24 months. The rest of the fleet won’t generate that much cash.