Royal Air Maroc (AT, Casablanca Mohammed V), a longtime Boeing customer, is set to purchase Airbus aircraft for the first time, French media reported at the weekend, a move that would mark a strategic shift as the carrier looks to triple its fleet by 2037. RAM plans to quadruple its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037 to meet an anticipated tourism surge during the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco.

The French weekly financial newspaper La Tribune, citing a well-informed unnamed source, reported on May 4 that Airbus had been chosen as one of the airline’s two future suppliers. RAM has traditionally relied on B737 next generation and B737 MAX models.

"Airbus has been selected as one of Royal Air Maroc’s two suppliers," the source said. "French aircraft will soon fly under the Moroccan national carrier’s colours."

The decision was reportedly influenced by production delays at Boeing and an improvement in diplomatic ties between Morocco and France. RAM is also pushing for reciprocal air traffic rights and airport slots in France, especially at Paris Orly, amid what it sees as an imbalance favouring French carriers operating to Morocco.

ch-aviation has contacted RAM for comment. An Airbus spokeswoman declined to comment. "Discussions with our clients and potential clients are confidential by nature," she said.

An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks. RAM launched the long-awaited tender on April 15, 2024.

According to the ch-aviation Commercial Aviation Aircraft Data module, the airline currently wet-leases three A320-200s, one each from Electra Airways, Heston Airlines, and Nouvelair. Its own fleet comprises two B737-8s, twenty-eight B737-800s, one B747-400, five B787-8, four B787-9s, four E190s, and one B767-300F freighter. RAM also operates the Moroccan government's fleet of VIP aircraft. Subsidiary Royal Air Maroc Express (RXP, Casablanca Mohammed V) operates six ATR72-600s.