China Eastern Airlines and Royal Air Maroc (RAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday in Shanghai, marking a major step toward strengthening their strategic partnership. The agreement, signed by Hamid Addou, CEO of RAM, and Wang Zhiqing, President of China Eastern Airlines, aims to enhance air connectivity between Morocco and China to support growing economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges. The deal includes a codeshare agreement on key routes, an extension of connecting flights beyond each airline's hubs, and a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) to expand their networks. These measures will allow passengers of both carriers to enjoy wider destinations, smoother connections, and improved travel experiences. Wang Zhiqing welcomed the partnership, stressing that «the long-standing friendship and close cooperation between China and Morocco have laid a solid foundation for collaboration in aviation». He added that «the complementarity between China Eastern's Shanghai hub and RAM's strong African network will deepen strategic cooperation between China and Africa». For his part, Hamid Addou said the agreement aligns with Morocco's vision under King Mohammed VI, following the momentum created by the King's visit to China in 2016. «This partnership aims to build human, economic, and cultural bridges between our two countries and reflects Morocco's commitment to South–South cooperation», he said. The signing ceremony was attended by Morocco's ambassador to China, Abdelkader El Ansari. Royal Air Maroc relaunched its direct Casablanca–Beijing route in January, with three weekly flights, while Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern, operates four weekly connections between Shanghai and Casablanca, some of which are now direct. The airline plans to make all flights non-stop to improve passenger comfort and connectivity. Based in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines is one of China's three largest carriers, operating the country's most extensive international network, with around 9,100 international flights per month.
