Royal Air Maroc has taken delivery of a new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, as the carrier accelerates a major fleet expansion strategy aimed at supporting Morocco’s growing tourism ambitions.
The aircraft arrived on Friday at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, bringing the airline’s total fleet to 65 planes — a record for the national carrier.
The delivery forms part of a broader expansion programme that is expected to see the fleet rise to 74 aircraft by the end of 2026 and further to 88 by 2027, according to company projections.
“This is an important delivery for us, especially since these aircraft were secured in a very tight market context, where it is particularly difficult to find available long-haul planes,” said Doha El Atia, a senior executive at Royal Air Maroc.
The new Dreamliner features updated cabin configurations and redesigned interiors, part of a wider effort by the airline to harmonise onboard products across its long-haul fleet.
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The expansion aligns with a long-term agreement signed in 2023 between Royal Air Maroc and the Morocco government to significantly scale up the airline’s capacity.
Under the 2023–2037 development plan, the fleet is expected to grow from around 50 aircraft to as many as 200 over the next 15 years, positioning the carrier to support a sharp increase in passenger traffic.
The strategy is closely tied to Morocco’s ambitions to boost tourism and establish itself as a leading global destination.
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The North African country welcomed nearly 20 million tourists last year and aims to increase that figure to 26 million by 2030. Longer-term targets are even more ambitious, with authorities seeking to attract up to 65 million visitors annually by 2037.
A key driver of these goals is Morocco’s role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, an event expected to significantly boost international arrivals.
Analysts say the expansion of Royal Air Maroc’s fleet — particularly with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Boeing 787 — will be critical to meeting rising demand for long-haul travel and improving connectivity between Morocco and major global markets.
However, the airline’s growth strategy comes at a time when aircraft availability remains constrained globally due to supply chain disruptions and strong post-pandemic demand for air travel.
Despite these challenges, Moroccan authorities and airline executives remain confident that the expansion will strengthen the country’s aviation sector and support broader economic growth driven by tourism.
As Royal Air Maroc continues to modernise its fleet, the focus will be on balancing rapid expansion with operational efficiency, while ensuring a consistent passenger experience across its network.
