RAM Strengthens Italy-Africa Link with New Catania Route
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is poised to significantly enhance air travel options between Africa and Italy with the launch of its new Casablanca-Catania service, commencing on June 28, 2025. This strategic move marks Catania as RAM’s seventh destination in Italy, further solidifying the airline’s commitment to connecting African travelers with key European hubs.
This new route will operate twice weekly using Boeing 737 aircraft, providing a direct link between Morocco and Catania, a vibrant city on the eastern coast of Sicily. Travel professionals across Africa should take note: this expanded connectivity opens up exciting opportunities for both leisure and business travel, catering particularly to the growing demand from the Moroccan and broader African diaspora residing in Italy.
Catania, a bustling hub of commerce and culture, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for travelers. From its historical architecture and vibrant culinary scene to its proximity to the majestic Mount Etna, the city presents a compelling destination. This, coupled with RAM’s enhanced connectivity, positions Catania as an attractive gateway to Southern Europe, not only for those visiting Italy but also for travelers seeking onward connections to other European destinations. African travel agents can leverage this new route to curate diverse and appealing travel packages for their clientele.
The introduction of the Casablanca-Catania route brings RAM’s total weekly flights between Morocco and Italy to 45, a testament to the airline’s growing presence in the Italian market. This expansion is not just about increasing flight numbers; it’s about strengthening ties between two continents, facilitating cultural exchange, and fostering economic opportunities. The increased capacity and convenient schedule are expected to stimulate both tourism and business travel, creating a ripple effect that benefits businesses and communities on both sides of the Mediterranean.
With this new service, RAM will be competing with Air Arabia Maroc, which also operates on the Casablanca-Catania route. This competition is expected to be advantageous for travelers, potentially leading to more competitive fares and enhanced service offerings. For African travel agents, this presents an opportunity to offer clients a wider choice of options, tailoring travel arrangements to individual preferences and budgets.
Beyond the immediate benefits of the Catania route, RAM’s expansion has broader implications for African connectivity. Casablanca, as RAM’s main hub, serves as a crucial transit point for travelers from across the African continent. The new Catania service, with its strategically planned schedule, is designed to optimize connections for passengers arriving in Casablanca from other African cities. This seamless connectivity further strengthens Casablanca’s position as a key gateway to Europe, offering African travelers smoother and more efficient journeys.
The computational analysis suggests that RAM’s total weekly capacity to Italy will reach 7,875 seats with the addition of the Catania route. Assuming an industry-standard load factor, this translates to approximately 6,300 passengers per week. The Catania route itself is projected to carry around 280 passengers weekly in each direction. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the potential for significant connecting traffic, estimating that around 1,890 passengers per week could utilize RAM’s network to connect through Casablanca to and from other destinations in Africa. This data underscores the substantial market opportunity presented by the new route and its potential to boost passenger flows between Africa and Europe.
The optimized schedule, with a morning departure from Casablanca on Mondays and an afternoon departure on Saturdays, is designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers. The Monday morning departure facilitates convenient connections for passengers arriving from other parts of Africa, while the Saturday afternoon departure caters to weekend travel, offering flexibility for leisure trips. This thoughtful scheduling maximizes the route’s potential to capture a diverse range of travelers, further enhancing its value for African travel agents.
