RAM's carbon neutral dream comes true with first eco flight

Morocco’s national carrier and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection have joined forces to ensure the sustainable development of the aviation sector through a clear long-term vision.

Last December, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Afriquia SMDC launched the first carbon-neutral African flight, using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). RAM and the Mohammed VI Foundation also planted thousands of trees in desert areas in Morocco to offset the carbon emissions emitted during this flight.

“This operation is part of the efforts that we are deploying jointly with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, to support research and experiments carried out by the industry, researchers and specialists to reduce considerably the carbon imprint of the aviation sector. This portrays our mutual commitment to accelerate the decarbonisation process of Moroccan air transport, alongside the major industry stakeholders, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Abdelhamid Addou, CEO of RAM.

The first step of RAM’s strategic plan will be to incorporate 10 per cent SAF as of 2030.

According to Said El Baghdadi, Afriquia SMDC, managing director, “this flight is a new milestone to promote sustainable fuels” in Morocco. “It is a vital component of the roadmap to decarbonise air transport.”

The launch of this eco-responsible flight is aligned with the Kingdom's sustainable development policy to encourage the use of renewable energies and key green technologies.

RAM has also set up a fuel efficiency programme (FEP), enabling the airline to reduce its fuel consumption by 10 per cent. RAM obtained IATA’s IEnvA certification (based on environmental and sustainability standards) in 2023 due to this proactive policy.

RAM was re-elected best airline in Africa during the 20^th edition of the “GT tested reader survey” of Global Traveler magazine. It was also named “Best regional airline in Africa” for the ninth consecutive year at the Skytrax Airline Awards in 2023.