Royal Air Maroc will temporarily suspend 12 international routes after soaring jet fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East sharply increased operating costs across the global airline industry, the Moroccan carrier said Saturday.
The suspensions affect routes linking Casablanca to Bangui, Brazzaville, Kinshasa, Douala, Yaoundé and Libreville, alongside several European connections from Tangier and Marrakesh, including flights to Malaga, Barcelona, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille and Brussels.
Suspended routes:
Casablanca – Bangui
Casablanca – Brazzaville
Casablanca – Kinshasa
Casablanca – Douala
Casablanca – Yaoundé
Casablanca – Libreville
Tangier – Malaga
Tangier – Barcelona
Marrakesh – Lyon
Marrakesh – Bordeaux
Marrakesh – Marseille
Marrakesh – Brussels
The airline said the decision also reflected weaker demand on some routes as the aviation sector grapples with rising fuel costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
The move places Morocco’s national carrier among a growing list of airlines scaling back operations as conflict around Iran and disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz continue pushing kerosene prices sharply higher.
Airlines across Europe, the Gulf and Asia have rerouted flights, reduced frequencies or suspended destinations in recent weeks as fuel and insurance costs surged.
Aviation fuel prices in Europe had more than doubled within six weeks, with kerosene exceeding $1,700 per ton compared with around $830 before the escalation in regional tensions. Fuel typically accounts for roughly 30% of airline operating costs.
Royal Air Maroc had already suspended flights to Doha and Dubai earlier this year after the outbreak of conflict involving Iran disrupted regional airspace and triggered wider instability in aviation markets.
The latest cuts also highlight the pressure facing Morocco’s broader tourism and connectivity strategy ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Rabat is co hosting with Spain and Portugal.
Royal Air Maroc has spent recent years expanding routes across Africa and Europe as part of an ambitious growth plan tied to tourism, transit traffic and Casablanca’s positioning as a regional hub.
The airline said affected passengers would receive assistance and that suspended routes could gradually resume once economic and operational conditions stabilize.
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