RABAT, Morocco — Morocco’s flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc, has temporarily suspended 12 international routes to African and European destinations, citing a sharp rise in jet fuel prices, higher operating costs and weaker demand on some services.
The state-owned airline said the decision forms part of a provisional adjustment to its network and will be reviewed depending on fuel prices and market conditions. The suspended African routes include flights from Casablanca to Kinshasa, Brazzaville, Yaoundé, Libreville, Bangui and Douala. In Europe, the airline has halted flights from Marrakech to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Brussels, as well as services from Tangier to Malaga and Barcelona.
Royal Air Maroc said the measure was necessary because rising kerosene prices had made some routes more difficult to operate profitably, particularly where demand had also slowed. Fuel is one of the largest costs for airlines, and sudden price increases can quickly squeeze margins, especially on long-haul or lower-frequency routes.
The surge in jet fuel prices has been linked to tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to international shipping following the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. The instability has affected energy markets and placed additional pressure on carriers already managing high maintenance, leasing and staffing costs.
The suspensions could affect passengers travelling between Morocco and several key African capitals, particularly those using Casablanca as a regional hub. Royal Air Maroc has positioned itself as a major connector between Africa, Europe and North America, and any reduction in routes may inconvenience business travellers, diaspora communities and tourists.
The European suspensions also come at a sensitive time for Morocco’s travel sector, which depends heavily on tourism links with France, Belgium and Spain. Marrakech and Tangier are among the country’s most important tourism gateways, and flights to cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Brussels, Malaga and Barcelona serve both leisure travellers and Moroccan communities abroad.
The airline stressed that the cuts are not permanent. It said affected routes would be reassessed as fuel prices stabilise and demand improves. That leaves open the possibility of restoration if operating conditions become more favourable.
The decision reflects a wider challenge facing global aviation. Airlines are highly exposed to energy shocks, and routes with thinner margins are often the first to be reduced when fuel costs rise sharply. For Royal Air Maroc, the immediate priority is protecting profitability while maintaining core connections through its Casablanca hub.
For passengers, the temporary suspensions mean fewer travel options and possible rerouting through other cities until the airline restores service.
