Oneworld alliance: Air Maroc to expand in Nigeria, others

Morocco‘s national carrier – Royal Air Maroc has described its membership of the global airlines’ network, Oneworld, as a strategic move that will give its passengers access to connect into any part of the world with other carriers.

This is just as the airline added more than 30 new destinations in Africa to the network.

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At a briefing to mark the second year anniversary of joining Oneworld held in Lagos, Nigeria, Royal Air Maroc Chief Finance Officer, Karim Benchekroun, and Oneworld Chief Executive Officer, Rob Gurney, said as the only African airline on the alliance, passengers on the network are positioned to enjoy better connection between the continent and other parts of the world.

Benchekroun said the carrier considers Nigeria as a very important market for Royal Air Maroc hence the decision to celebrate its second year anniversary into Oneworld alliance in Lagos.

He said: “We are here to communicate directly with our customers about this membership and the considerable advantages it offers.”

He also spoke of plans to improve the airline’s market share in Nigeria while hinting on plans to return its Abuja flight as the passengers’ number grows.

He said, “Nigeria is a natural market for us, given its excellent relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco. We have a lot of businesses with Nigeria and the Moroccan government. One of it is the gas pipeline.”

Speaking further on the Oneworld alliance, he said: “Being the first African airline to join Oneworld since April 1, 2020 Royal Air Maroc is not only bringing this prestigious alliance to Africa, but also linking Africa to Oneworld.
“It also means that passengers in Nigeria and Africa in general now have access to an extremely large network, with no less than 1,000 destinations in 170 countries, and access to up to 650 lounges in different airports and other benefits.”
Rob Gurney expressed delight that with Royal Air Maroc, the Oneworld network had been reinforced in Africa.
“Royal Air Maroc will be an important contributor to Oneworld. Thanks to Morocco’s proximity to Europe, the RAM hub in Casablanca is well placed to serve as a gateway to Africa for the benefit of Oneworld customers,” he added.
He said with a strong network of more than 80 destinations, Royal Air Maroc’s membership of Oneworld allows the airline to position itself as the alliance of choice for customers to and from this region.