Royal Air Maroc resumes Casablanca-Beijing direct flights after five-Year

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has officially resumed its direct flights between Casablanca and Beijing, marking a significant milestone after a five-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first flight landed at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 11:55 a.m. local time, carrying 291 passengers. Shortly after, the return flight departed for Casablanca at 1:55 p.m. with 271 passengers on board. A formal reception was held at Beijing Daxing to commemorate the occasion, attended by Morocco’s Ambassador to China, Abdelkader Ansari, journalists, and various Moroccan and Chinese dignitaries.

Adel Khloufi, RAM’s representative in China, highlighted the strategic importance of the route, describing it as more than a practical travel option but a vital link fostering cultural and economic exchanges. “This route strengthens Chinese-Moroccan relations, promoting tourism and bilateral trade while opening a new chapter of friendship and collaboration between the two nations,” Khloufi stated.

He also emphasized Morocco’s tourism appeal, spotlighting destinations like Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert, while noting the potential of this direct flight to attract business travelers and boost trade ties.

Kong Yue, Vice President of Beijing Daxing International Airport, praised the resumption of the service as a response to the growing interest of Chinese tourists in Morocco, especially following the 2016 visa exemption for Chinese citizens. He stated, “This direct route will stimulate international aviation markets, enhance bilateral exchanges, and strengthen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Initially launched in January 2020, the Casablanca-Beijing route was suspended shortly after due to the pandemic. The revived service operates three weekly flights, departing Casablanca on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 4:20 p.m. local time, arriving in Beijing the following morning at 11:55 a.m. Return flights leave Beijing on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 1:55 p.m., landing in Casablanca at 8:10 p.m.

The route is serviced by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering 302 seats, including 26 in business class. This resumption aims to invigorate tourism and trade between Morocco and China, paving the way for expanded collaboration and connectivity.