Snowstorm forces flight reductions between Morocco and Europe

French authorities asked airlines operating from Morocco to sharply reduce the number of flights this week as a precautionary measure amid severe weather caused by snowstorm “Jorty,” a source inside Royal Air Maroc said.

The request came as heavy snowfall and weather disruptions paralyzed several European airports, forcing widespread cancellations and logistical difficulties across the aviation sector. The impact was not limited to Royal Air Maroc, the source said, noting that other carriers operating in Morocco, including Ryanair, were facing similar disruptions.

According to the source, Amsterdam’s airport remained fully closed for three consecutive days, namely Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of all scheduled flights. A return flight from the French city of Nantes was also canceled, along with 10 flights linking Paris to several Moroccan cities, including Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech, during the week.

The source said the cancellations fall under “force majeure” provisions, as the circumstances were beyond the airline’s control. Despite this, Royal Air Maroc implemented exceptional measures to assist affected passengers.

These measures included allowing travelers to reroute their flights to alternative airports such as Toulouse, Marseille or Brussels without additional fees. Passengers were also given the option to reschedule their trips to later dates when weather conditions improve, or to request a full refund, a measure the source described as uncommon under international aviation regulations in such cases.

The source said the situation has now stabilized and that no passengers remain stranded. However, uncertainty remains due to unpredictable weather conditions. Royal Air Maroc continues to coordinate closely with European authorities, and further preventive decisions could be taken at short notice depending on how weather conditions evolve across Europe.