Royal Air Maroc CEO Frustrated Over Boeing Delivery Delays, Says Situation Is Improving
Rabat – Hamid Addou, CEO of Morocco's national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM), shared the company's ambitions, plan, as well as frustration over the delay in submitting ordered aircraft from Boeing.
He made his remarks during a recent interview with CNN, in which he shared Royal Air Maroc's heavy investments, but also setbacks, as some aircraft arrive up to 18 months late.
'You have to offer your customers what they're paying for. And in the economy… You have to offer the kind of service they're expecting. So we need to invest in the product, and we are already doing it,' Addou said.
He said that, of course, one feels frustrated when you have 15 to 18 months late deliveries.
Addou acknowledged that all executives and airlines face the same issue, promising that 'things are evolving in the right direction. Well, we just received three MAX's this week.'
RAM's CEO added that Royal Air Maroc is set to receive seven of its ordered fleet by the end of December, noting that things are 'getting better.'
'Based on my information, the rhythm of production is increasing, which is a good sign,' Addou noted, adding that the company trusts its partners.
The remarks came just a few days before an agreement between Boeing and Casablanca's Aironautique, a subsidiary of France's Fiageac Aero Group.
Under the deal, the two parties will produce parts for the 737 MAX. Earlier this month, converging reports indicated that Royal Air Maroc is in the final stages of a significant aircraft deal with Boeing, alongside a smaller agreement with Airbus.
Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the matter as saying that the Boeing order could be delayed, potentially pending a high-level meeting between King Mohammed VI and US President Donald Trump.
During his interview with CNN, Addou also shared Royal Air Maroc's point of strength, noting that while the GCC Airlines focus more on Asia, RAM has a stronger presence on the south-north route between Africa and Europe.
'Where it's complicated for us to compete is against low-cost carriers,' the CEO of Royal Air Maroc said, adding that Morocco has over 40 competitors that will need a new model and a new market.
Addou also thanked RAM's teams for developing new markets to compete against companies like Wizz, EasyJet, and Ryanair.
He pledged that Royal Air Maroc is developing a different market in Africa, citing the company's strategy to put different and special plans for customers, in line with Morocco's culture.
' I think that if you want to feel again the first experience of the country, the airline is the best way to start a good journey,' he said.
Addou added that Royal Air Maroc is in the center geographically, which makes the company able to capitalize on what clients like the world diaspora can offer. Tags: Royal Air MarocRoyal Air Maroc (RAM)
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