Royal Air Maroc receives first Airbus Aircraft

Royal Air Maroc entered a new era yesterday with the delivery of its first Airbus aircraft in Hamburg, an A321, thus joining the European manufacturer's worldwide customer base of some 200 customers and operators.

The aircraft is the first of four single-aisle A321s firmly ordered by the Moroccan national carrier from Airbus in June 2001. The second A321 will be delivered to Royal Air Maroc in a few weeks. All aircraft will be powered by CFM56-5B engines from CFM International.

Royal Air Maroc will use the A321 on its medium haul high density routes such as Casablanca-Paris. In the spacious layout selected by Royal Air Maroc, the A321 will seat 177 passengers and up to 198 in high season.

As part of its support to customers, Airbus will be providing on line support to Royal Air Maroc with a technical representation at the carrier's base in Casablanca. A320 Family expertise will be developed within the airline, which will be furthered in 2004 when EADS Sogerma together with Royal Air Maroc sets up a maintenance centre in Marrakech. This capacity could be extended to third parties generating potential additional revenues for the airline.