MAX 8 Fuels African Aviation Growth: Route Expansions and Modernization Take Off
In mid-July 2025, two of Africa’s leading airlines, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and Ethiopian Airlines, each welcomed a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This addition brings RAM’s MAX fleet to five and Ethiopian Airlines’ to an impressive 21, with nearly 30 more on order. These deliveries highlight the ambitious fleet modernization and expansion strategies driving these prominent carriers.
Ethiopian Airlines, already boasting Africa’s largest and youngest fleet, operates 165 aircraft with another 67 on order. The airline’s “Vision 2035” strategy, spearheaded by CEO Mesfin Tasew, aims to solidify its position as the continent’s leading aviation group by 2025 and a global frontrunner by 2035. This vision emphasizes network expansion, fleet growth, and the integration of fuel-efficient aircraft like the 737 MAX 8 to meet escalating travel demands and environmental targets. The airline has placed orders for approximately 120 new aircraft, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 777X, and Airbus A350s, to optimize operational costs and reduce its carbon footprint.
Royal Air Maroc, with a fleet of approximately 63 aircraft, is also undergoing a significant transformation. CEO Abdelhamid Addou has confirmed a request for proposals to acquire up to 200 new aircraft by 2037, quadrupling its current fleet size. This expansion aims to bolster Morocco’s burgeoning tourism sector and prepare for major events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The airline is committed to a diversified and modernized fleet, viewing it as essential for future growth. The acquisition of up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets and several 787 Dreamliners will be instrumental in achieving this goal.
The arrival of the 737 MAX 8 is already facilitating significant route expansions for both airlines. Ethiopian Airlines has launched new services to Warsaw, Porto, Sharjah, Hanoi, and Hyderabad, while also increasing frequencies on key African routes like Lagos and Entebbe. Further expansion plans include exploring direct flights to Australia and continued growth within Africa using the 737 MAX 8 on routes to destinations like Goma, Blantyre, and Nairobi.
Royal Air Maroc is also capitalizing on the 737 MAX 8’s capabilities, adding new destinations such as São Paulo, Beijing, Toronto, and Catania. The airline has also introduced new routes within the UK, serving London Stansted and Manchester, and resumed direct flights to Munich. Domestically, a new Rabat-Dakhla connection has been established, and frequencies to Nouakchott and Dakar have increased. RAM is also expanding its reach within Europe with direct flights from Casablanca to Spanish and Portuguese cities like Malaga, Valencia, Lisbon, and Porto, utilizing both Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft.
These strategic investments in the Boeing 737 MAX 8 underscore both airlines’ commitment to modernization, efficiency, and expansion. The new aircraft not only enhances fuel efficiency and reduces environmental impact but also provides the operational flexibility needed to expand networks and connect to a wider range of destinations. For African travel agents, these developments translate into increased travel options, improved connectivity, and exciting opportunities to cater to the growing demand for both regional and international travel.
