Unique: PlaneSpotting in Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc
Final month I discovered myself with a full-day layover in Casablanca, Morocco. I used to be on my approach to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to cowl Royal Air Maroc’s oneworld celebration. My flight from JFK arrived mid-morning and the ABJ flight wouldn’t depart till late night. Armed with this information, I had a jam-packed, prearranged agenda which included PlaneSpotting in Casablanca. For a comparatively small airline like RAM, this was an opportunity to see the entire airline’s fleet varieties in the identical place on the identical time. Thrilling!
PlaneSpotting in Casablanca, up shut and air-side
They take aviation safety very critically in Morocco, maybe to an excessive. As a way to get my planespotting in Casablanca tour organized there was a prolonged vetting course of. Required had been a certificates of legal responsibility insurance coverage, numerous types of ID, and a listing of my pictures gear for consideration by numerous authorities to incorporate the Moroccan Ministry of Communication. Even with numerous governmental pre-authorizations in hand it appeared a problem to persuade the airport’s badging workplace to subject my day credentials. After some forwards and backwards between my numerous escorts and airport operations of us I obtained a temp badge in alternate for my passport. This collateral successfully dominated out any alternative of an airport badge memento.
We exited the terminal proper in entrance of the B787-9 I arrived on. I noticed at this second that whereas I had packed a wide range of telephoto lenses, I had none well-suited for up-close pictures. We be taught from our errors and this was a painful one. Fortunately I had a totally charged iPhone armed able to complement the journey.
Recognizing the massive stuff
Royal Air Maroc’s “heavy” fleet is formally comprised of 787-8s, 787-9s and a Boeing 767-300 freighter. Whereas representatives of each 787 fleet sub-types had been current, the freighter was away. The airline famous that the 763 had been extremely busy throughout the pandemic. This was a supply of satisfaction for the airline and Moroccan folks given its position delivering provides and reduction efforts.
It didn’t take lengthy earlier than CN-RGA caught my eye: The Moroccan Royal Household’s former 747-400 in RAM livery. An excellent catch, given the aircraft was retired to make room for a fashionable 747-8, additionally in RAM home colours. Nonetheless, my curiosity on this aircraft introduced undesirable consideration from numerous safety personnel. No hurt. When overseas, native customs prevail. There are, fortunately, loads of images of each birds hosted over on JetPhotos which we have now linked on your comfort.
So many 737s!
Royal Air Maroc stories that they function 30 Boeing 737s. The 737 fleet is comprised of simply two MAX-8s with the stability being 737-800s. Throughout our PlaneSpotting in Casablanca journey we managed to catch 737-800s in just a few liveries in addition to a MAX-8.
The regional planes…
Royal Air Maroc operates 4 E190s and 6 ATR 72-600s. Many of the ATRs had been accessible for images.
There was just one Embraer round on the time of our go to.
Conclusion
My airside tour for Casablanca PlaneSpotting was one thing particular. Whereas few plane had been shifting given the early hour, it was nice enjoyable to have the ability to {photograph} every of Royal Air Maroc’s fleet varieties over the course of an hour or so. This small airline’s various fleet and numerous liveries affords so much for the PlaneSpotting neighborhood. I’m happy to have been in a position to have the chance even when I didn’t carry my A-Sport by way of appropriate gear. Classes discovered, for certain.
I’ll finish on one thought. Considered one of my my escorts was the airline’s native base supervisor. All through the method he was excited to current his planes to me and inform me why every was particular. The sense of satisfaction in his voice caught me as distinctive. As I spent the following few days with Royal Air Maroc staff, from contract brokers all the way in which to the CEO, I seen that satisfaction was not distinctive. I should have interacted with dozens of RAM associates throughout three nations on this journey. Every was upbeat, and spoke with satisfaction. Pleasure for Morocco and their airline having weathered the pandemic, satisfaction for the work that they do and the intense future they envision, and satisfaction in talking to their mission to hyperlink Africa to the world. That was one thing particular. And certainly, they need to be proud.
Disclosure: Royal Air Maroc and oneworld invited AirlineReporter to Casablanca, Morocco, and Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to be taught extra in regards to the airline, their alliances, and communities they serve. Journey and lodging had been offered courtesy of partnership between Royal Air Maroc and their oneworld companion. As all the time, our opinions stay our personal.
Feedback are closed right here.