Royal Air Maroc Launches First Direct Flight to Sal Island, Cape Verde
Marrakech, The Gulf Observer: Royal Air Maroc (RAM) successfully inaugurated its first direct flight to Sal Island, Cape Verde, with the aircraft landing at Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Friday at 1:00 a.m. The flight departed from Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport on Thursday, September 18, at 11:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, the inaugural flight was warmly welcomed by local Cape Verdean authorities in a symbolic ceremony attended by representatives of both Cape Verdean officials and the Moroccan airline.
The new Casablanca–Sal route will operate twice weekly, with scheduled flights every Thursday and Sunday. This service complements RAM’s existing connection to Praia, the Cape Verdean capital, further strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between Morocco and Cape Verde.
For Moroccan travelers, the route offers easier access to Cape Verde’s Atlantic archipelago, renowned for its white sand beaches, sunny climate, and water sports opportunities. At the same time, the connection provides strategic benefits for the Cape Verdean diaspora, enabling improved global connectivity through RAM’s international network and its Casablanca hub, particularly for communities residing in Europe and North America.
The launch of the Casablanca–Sal route was first announced in June, alongside RAM’s plans to expand into four new international destinations in September: Zurich (Switzerland), N’Djamena (Chad), Sal Island (Cape Verde), and Munich (Germany). On September 17, RAM also inaugurated its Casablanca–N’Djamena route, with flights scheduled twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
These expansions form part of RAM’s broader strategy to consolidate its position as a leading African carrier. With the addition of N’Djamena, RAM now operates 29 direct routes across Africa.
Hamid Addou, CEO of Royal Air Maroc, emphasized that the airline’s network growth strengthens Casablanca’s role as a major international hub. “It also confirms our leadership in African air transport. We are proud to offer our customers a wider and more efficient network,” he stated.
The airline’s expansion aligns with Morocco’s preparations to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). As the official global partner of the tournament, RAM plans to operate more than 660 additional flights, boosting capacity by over 50% to accommodate an expected 500,000 football fans. This includes doubling seat capacity on routes to qualified countries and increasing frequencies from European cities with significant African diaspora populations.
