At a time when Africa is establishing itself as one of the markets with the greatest growth potential for the global tourism and aviation industries, companies across the continent are redefining their strategies to play a more prominent role in the major international flows of travellers.
Among them is Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan airline, which has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme in recent years aimed at making Morocco one of the main hubs linking Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Against this backdrop, Royal Air Maroc has launched its first direct service between Casablanca and Los Angeles, a route that represents a decisive step towards strengthening ties between Africa and the west coast of the United States.
The inaugural flight took place on 7 June, establishing a direct connection of approximately twelve hours between the two cities, thereby making Los Angeles the airline’s sixth North American destination, alongside New York, Washington, Miami, Montreal and Toronto.
A gateway to Africa from California
The addition of Los Angeles to Royal Air Maroc’s network is of significant strategic value. The Californian city is one of the main economic drivers of the United States and one of the world’s most significant source markets for tourists.
Thanks to this new route, travellers from the US west coast will be able to reach dozens of destinations in Morocco, West Africa, the Middle East and Europe via Casablanca, whilst African customers will have a more direct route to the North American market.
The service will initially operate three times a week. Flights will depart from Casablanca on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, whilst return flights will depart from Los Angeles on those same days.
A rapidly expanding airline
The new route to California is the latest addition to an extensive growth plan that includes the addition of more than a hundred new international stopovers by 2037 and an unprecedented expansion of the fleet.
Royal Air Maroc expects to have a fleet of 200 aircraft in the coming years, compared with the just over sixty it currently operates. To this end, it has already begun the gradual introduction of new, state-of-the-art aircraft designed to strengthen both its long-haul operations and its regional routes.
Los Angeles joins other strategic destinations such as Beijing, São Paulo, Toronto, St Petersburg, Alicante and Bilbao, as part of a strategy aimed at expanding Morocco’s presence in the aviation sector.
Spain, a strategic partner
Spain is a priority in Royal Air Maroc’s plans. With a presence in the Spanish market spanning more than half a century, it currently operates from nine airports and offers more than eighty weekly flights between the two countries. The recent launch of the Bilbao–Casablanca and Alicante–Casablanca routes confirms the airline’s commitment to strengthening tourism, economic and cultural ties between Morocco and Spain, particularly at a time when both countries are working together with Portugal on preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Casablanca, Africa’s major hub of the future
Beyond the launch of new routes, Royal Air Maroc’s real aim is to establish Casablanca as one of the major air transport hubs on the African continent. Its membership of the oneworld alliance – which it joined in 2020 as the first African airline to be integrated into the network – enables it to offer access to more than 900 destinations in 170 countries and to strengthen its international competitiveness.
The integration of Los Angeles marks a new chapter in this transformation. It is a step that brings the company closer to its goal of exceeding 30 million passengers a year and positioning Morocco as one of the major gateways to Africa for travellers from around the world.