In anticipation of the relaunch of the direct Casablanca-Beijing route on January 20, 2025, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has solidified its presence in China by signing a series of agreements with top Chinese travel agencies. The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday evening in Beijing. A total of 16 agreements were signed by RAM's MENA and Asia Director, Abderrahman Brahimi, alongside RAM's representative in China, Adil Khalloufi. These agreements involve consolidators and travel agencies that specialize in promoting Morocco as a travel destination. «We have signed contracts for long-term seat allotments on our direct Casablanca-Beijing flights», Brahimi told MAP. «These agreements will strengthen our partnerships with the Chinese travel agency network and ensure a high occupancy rate, reinforcing the Casablanca-Beijing route». Brahimi emphasized that the signing ceremony marked the end of extensive discussions with both existing and new Chinese partners, highlighting the strong demand from Chinese travelers for Morocco as a destination. The Casablanca-Beijing route, initially launched on January 16, 2020, was suspended shortly thereafter due to the health crisis. Service will resume on January 20, 2025, with three flights per week. Departures from Casablanca are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 4:20 p.m. (local time), arriving in Beijing the following day at 11:55 a.m. (local time). Flights from Beijing will depart on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 1:55 p.m. (local time), arriving in Casablanca at 8:10 p.m. (local time). The route will be served by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 302 seats, including 26 in Business Class. The resumption of this route is part of RAM's strategic plan for 2024-2037, aimed at enhancing trade between Morocco and China, Brahimi explained. RAM intends to gradually increase the frequency of flights to Beijing from three to seven weekly connections. Additionally, RAM is exploring the expansion of its network to other Chinese cities, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, which are seen as potentially lucrative for both passenger and cargo transport. «RAM's direct Casablanca-Beijing air service strengthens the bilateral agreements established during His Majesty King Mohammed VI's historic visit to China in 2016», Brahimi noted. This visit led to the visa exemption for Chinese nationals traveling to Morocco, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations and fostering numerous exchanges in industrial, economic, and cultural fields. RAM's direct route to Beijing is part of efforts to support this momentum, offering a more convenient alternative to flights that transit through European or Middle Eastern hubs.
