Royal Air Maroc and China Southern Airlines strengthen ties to boost connectivity between Africa and China
Royal Air Maroc and China Southern Airlines Company Limited (China Southern) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of strengthening connectivity between China and Africa, responding to the growing demand for travel between the two regions. This agreement represents a milestone in bilateral relations and reinforces the cooperation between two important airlines within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative promoted by China.
Under this memorandum, China Southern and Royal Air Maroc will expand their interline cooperation and establish a codeshare partnership, which will improve the connectivity of their respective airline networks. This will provide travellers with a greater variety of options to different Chinese and Asian destinations through China Southern's extensive network, as well as to various African destinations thanks to Royal Air Maroc's strong presence on the continent.
In addition, both airlines will explore opportunities for cooperation in passenger and cargo transport, as well as related activities, in order to offer more fluid, simplified and high-quality services.
The signing of this agreement marks a strategic step for China Southern Airlines in its support for the Belt and Road Initiative, consolidating the connection between Asia and Africa. ‘We are honoured to collaborate with Royal Air Maroc to make the most of our respective strengths, while continuously exploring new opportunities for cooperation to provide passengers with exceptional and seamless travel experiences,’ said Qu Guangji, Executive Vice President of China Southern Airlines.
For his part, Hamid Addou, President and CEO of Royal Air Maroc, said that this alliance with China Southern Airlines represents ‘an important step in strengthening air connectivity between Africa and China’.
‘This collaboration will expand travel options for our passengers, while strengthening tourism and economic and trade relations between our countries,’ Addou added, emphasising that, by consolidating their mutual strengths, both companies ‘are committed to offering travel experiences that foster closer ties between Africa and China and facilitate access to Morocco for Chinese tourists’.
This agreement is in addition to Royal Air Maroc's recent efforts to strengthen connectivity between Morocco and China, evidenced by the resumption of the direct Casablanca-Beijing route on 20 January 2025, which currently operates three times a week. This direct air link not only shortens the distances between the two countries, but also strengthens cultural, economic and tourist exchanges, consolidating Morocco as a key gateway to Africa for Chinese travellers.
