Royal Air Maroc switches ACMI operator for Istanbul, CDG

Royal Air Maroc outlines new RFP plans

Gabon prepares for airspace closure following coup

Gabon's self-styled military junta (Comité De La Transition Et De La Restauration Des Institutions) has closed the country's borders following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo and his recently elected government in a coup d'état, forcing the cancellation of all international flights as of August 29, 2023.

Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that Turkish Airlines, Air France, Air Côte d'Ivoire, ASKY Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines have either cancelled or diverted their flights to Libreville. Royal Air Maroc has also suspended its flights from Casablanca Mohamed V.

Pan-African air navigation services provider ASECNA has issued a contingency plan for airlines in the event the Central African state's airspace is closed to all traffic.

Afrijet Business Service (J7, Libreville), Gabon's only active local airline and the only one to operate domestic scheduled routes, appears to have halted all operations from the country as of August 29. Its only flight on August 30 was from Malabo to Douala. The scheduled second leg from Douala to Libreville was cancelled. The...

LOT Polish Airlines to wet-lease an A330

Royal Air Maroc secures five B737s from ALC

Royal Air Maroc (AT, Casablanca Mohamed V) has signed a lease contract with Air Lease Corporation covering four B737-8s and one B737-800, all with 2024 delivery dates.

The aircraft will join Royal Air Maroc's existing fleet of two B737-8s and twenty-eight B737-800s. All five new aircraft will deliver from Air Lease Corporation's existing Boeing (BOE, Washington National) order book and portfolio. The lessor currently has a single B737-800 placed with the state-owned carrier.

RAM intends to expand its fleet in the coming years and recently disclosed plans to procure seven B737-8s and three B787s through finance leases. Local media reported, with no official confirmation from any of the parties, that RAM also agreed to acquire two E190s, four B737-8s, two B787-8s, and two B787-9s directly from Embraer (EMB, Sao Jose dos Campos) and Boeing.

The airline did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment on whether the ALC contract was signed as a result of the tender for the seven B737s or...

Editorial Comment: The identity of the operator of one A320 was corrected to Nouvelair. - 17.08.2023 - 14:34 UTC