Royal Air Maroc Has Huge Growth Plans, Wants To Quadruple In Size

They do not have great geography from an airline standpoint. What connecting traffic are they positioned for? US to South Africa? Not a huge market there. Everywhere else and Morocco is out of the way. This is typical state run flag carrier stuff, political decisions for prestige, with OPM on the line.

Agree that with with Morocco's geography, they are a gateway to Africa, and not much else. Perhaps that doesn't matter if the fares are right, as we see with TAP. Between Europe, on the one hand, and Asia or North America or Oceania, Morocco is not on the way. For traffic between Europe and South America, Madrid and Lisbon are just as well positioned and have cultural ties.

Using RAM to drive tourism is a reasonable approach but would require direct flights to Marrakesh opposed to Casablanca.

@ Mantis -- It's not great geography for all regions, but Morocco has a good location for traffic from both North and South America to Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, etc. It's very similar geography to Lisbon in that regard. That's not to say that it'll be very high yield or profitable traffic, but there are a good number of people traveling in these markets.

Ben is correct, Morocco is actually quite well sited as a connecting gateway to southern Europe, north Africa and the rest of Africa. It's directly on the way between Europe and South America and it's only a slight detour from the USA to places like Rome and Athens. Given the lower costs of doing business, the extra 15-30 minutes on an itinerary between North America and southern Europe will be ignored be most travelers.

And to add to the two points above, it should also be mentioned that they'd offer an actual business class seat on the regional connection, unlike most other European carriers

“Most other European” except Morocco isn’t in Europe. It’s in Africa.

Turkish isn't exactly a great connecting point from the US to Europe, but people use it because the product is good and the points sweet spot is excellent. I could see RAM being a nice use of points to places like Barcelona or Rome. I've looked into it as an alternative to Iberia, TAP, and Flying Blue. I do wonder if part of these expansion plans requires capturing value from the US points market (it is certainly a way to smooth out demand while building a following with cash fares). RAM is a good redemption using AA Miles, but those are so hard to get. Another One World partner with excellent awards (and one could only hope -- less fuel surcharges) could be desirable.

Happy to hear this coming from a recent OneWorld member airline. However, I'm surprised not to see DFW on this list. Seems like a no-brainer to add not only their partner AA's largest hub, but also OneWorld is headquartered there as well. Also I would "assume" that DFW (and the Texas/South/Midwest/Southwest that it draws from) would be a better fit for traffic than many of the cities listed.

Icarus: they are only comparing the general routes and hubs of Southern European carriers. They aren't being literal, but comparing, READ into the context next time. Lastly, I'd argue that Morocco is very close geographically to Europe as well as culturally. Look at the Iberian peninsula and many other parts of Europe that have cultural and historical ties to the MENA region as well.

I'd like to see them fly to Dallas so the airport can join the 6 continent club

Having just flown through Casablanca, that airport desperately needs modernization even before considering such massive growth plans.

Bring Back Boston.