RAM side by side with Senegal

The two airlines signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in late September that will launch a codeshare, as well as other behind-the-scenes initiatives.

The partnership is designed to consolidate long-term cooperation between the two carriers and is aimed at stimulating economic, social and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The codeshare will allow passengers to purchase their tickets from either of the two companies and to travel on the fleet of either airline.

Other areas of co-operation will include aircraft maintenance, chartering and handling. The two companies will also increase synergies between personnel, including technical and managerial training.

Finally, the two airlines will be able to pool their activities in the areas of communication and digitalisation of services.

“This partnership is perfectly in line with the excellent relations between our two countries and we expressed, during numerous preparatory meetings, our firm desire to build a strategic and lasting partnership with Air Senegal,” RAM chairman and CEO Hamid Addou said.

“Royal Air Maroc and Air Senegal are today realising the desire of the highest authorities of our respective countries to develop this air bridge, both in terms of passengers [and] cargo,” Air Senegal CEO Alioune Badara Fall added. “This South-South agreement commits us to respecting international standards for the common good of our future Royal Air Maroc/Air Senegal passengers.

RAM has an ambitious expansion programme, with the goal of quadrupling its fleet over the next 14 years to 200 aircraft. Speaking at the Arab Air Carriers Organization annual meeting in Riyadh in late October, Addou said RAM aimed to issue tenders by the end of 2023 for around 200 aircraft, two-thirds narrowbodies and one-third widebodies.

At present, the airline largely uses Boeing types, including 28 737-800s, with new 737-8s arriving and nine 787-8/9 widebodies (with two more announced at the Dubai airshow).

Air Senegal is much smaller and built around Airbus models: two A330-900 widebodies, two A321s and three A319s, plus a single A220-300 (with seven more to arrive) plus two ATR 72-600 turboprops.