The latest airline news from Morocco.

Morocco gets a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft

Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has taken delivery of a new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the second such aircraft the state-owned airline has received this year. The acquisition of the aircraft is part of the RAM’s programme to "beef up and modernise its fleet.",

In 2007, RAM took delivery of two new generation Boeing 737 and another one in February 2008. It also plans to receive another Boeing 737-800 in October 2008. The airline said the purchases showed its determination to consolidate its policy to expand and modernise its fleet to support the development and diversification of its international network. In November 2005, RAM and manufacturer Boeing signed a contract for the acquisition of five latest long-haul planes for a total cost of US$ 650 million.

Jet4you to serve 8 weekly flights between Morocco, Belgium

Low-cost airline company Jet4you will serve eight weekly flights as of May 24 between Morocco and Belgium, Chairman Jawad Ziat announced this week.

Speaking to the press to present the company's results in the last 27 months, Mr. Ziat noted that the Jet4you fleet will be bolstered by a new aircraft to meet the customers’ growing need.

Mr. Ziat recalled that the Brussels-Charleroi route towards Morocco has witnessed a 54% rise with the launch of Jet4you, that is an additional passenger number between 150,000 and 245,000.

According to Jet4you head, the company has served some 500,000 passengers in 4,000 flights in 2006 with an 80% occupation rate.

Since its inauguration flight on February 26, the company serviced 679 flights linking the cities of Marrakech, Fès and Agadir to Paris-Orly, and Marrakech to Nantes and Bordeaux, the company chairman highlighted, adding that up to September 30, the company flew some 92,255 passengers, reaching a 79% seat fill capacity and a 72% punctuality rate.

The airline projects to transport 160,000 passengers in the first year of its operation before reaching 900,000 in 2008 and 1.7 million in 2010.

The company’s euro 5.5Mn capital is owned at 40% by tourism word leader and 5th European carrier TIU group, and at 60% by Moroccan shareholders.

The company was created in the wake of the "Open Sky" agreement signed recently by Morocco and the European Union to liberalize the sector in Morocco.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news