By: Julius Konton
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has launched an unprecedented fixed-price airfare program to support African football fans traveling to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), positioning the airline at the center of what experts predict will be one of the most attended sporting events in the continent’s history.
The announcement comes days after RAM unveiled an aircraft emblazoned with portraits of Morocco’s Atlas Lions, symbolizing the country’s readiness to host Africa’s biggest football festival.
Morocco is expecting over 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, according to preliminary tourism estimates, with fan mobility set to be a major logistical challenge.
A Pan-African Airlift: 660 Additional Flights
To meet the overwhelming demand, RAM will operate more than 660 additional flights between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026, connecting Casablanca to at least 14 major African capitals.
Key departure cities include Dakar, Lagos, Abidjan, Luanda, Bamako, Libreville, Cotonou, Malabo, Douala, Kinshasa, Yaoundé, Abuja and Ouagadougou.
This large scale expansion represents one of the biggest seasonal flight increases in RAM’s history.
Aviation analysts note that AFCON typically drives a traffic surge of 30–45% for airlines servicing host countries.
With Morocco expected to see even higher demand due to its central location and reputation for world-class tourism infrastructure, RAM’s move is seen as both strategic and necessary.
Fixed Fares to Reduce Travel Uncertainty
RAM’s fixed-price initiative covers outbound travel from 15–31 December 2025, with return flights starting 1 January 2026.
The airline has published standardized round-trip fares for each city:
Official Fixed Fares by Departure City
Dakar, Senegal: €450
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: €400
Luanda, Angola: €990
Libreville, Gabon: €680
Lagos, Nigeria: €650
Abuja, Nigeria: €650
Bamako, Mali: €600
Cotonou, Benin: €590
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea: €590
Douala, Cameroon: €590
Yaoundé, Cameroon: €590
Kinshasa, DR Congo: €590
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: €480
The flat pricing model aims to shield fans from unpredictable airfare spikes often seen during major sporting events.
It is particularly significant for West and Central African travelers, many of whom face volatile currency markets and historically high travel costs.
Aviation industry data shows that airfares in some African regions rise by 25–60% during peak sporting seasons.
RAM’s fixed fares therefore represent both a stabilization measure and a gesture of goodwill toward African supporters.
Special Packages to Drive Tourism Beyond Football
Beyond airfare, RAM is offering full travel packages, combining flights, hotel bookings and match tickets.
The strategy aligns with Morocco’s goal of extending visitor stays and boosting tourism revenue during and after the tournament.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, major sporting events have historically increased tourist expenditure by up to 40%, and AFCON 2025 is expected to generate hundreds of millions of euros in tourism receipts.
Morocco ranked Africa’s most visited country for a decade, with 14.5 million tourists in 2023 aims to leverage AFCON to showcase new infrastructure, including modern stadiums, expanded airports, and upgraded transportation networks.
Strengthening Morocco’s Continental Aviation Role
By opening or reinforcing routes from so many African capitals, RAM is making a strong statement about its ambition to be a truly continental airline.
The Casablanca hub already handles over 10 million passengers annually, and the AFCON operation could push traffic to record highs.
The initiative also aligns with Morocco’s wider push for African cooperation, mobility, and regional integration, long key pillars of its foreign policy.
Challenges Ahead: High Demand and Limited Flexibility
Despite the extensive preparations, demand is expected to exceed supply on several routes.
Fixed-price seats may sell out quickly, especially from football-powerhouse nations such as Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
The limited return window may also prove restrictive for fans hoping to stay longer or adjust their travel according to their team’s tournament performance.
Nonetheless, the initiative is being widely praised as one of the most fan-friendly aviation programs ever implemented for an AFCON edition.
Editor’s Note:
Royal Air Maroc’s decision to introduce fixed-price flights and expand capacity ahead of AFCON 2025 represents one of the most ambitious aviation operations ever mounted for a sporting event on the continent.
Beyond easing the financial and logistical burden on football fans, this move underscores Morocco’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a continental hub for connectivity, tourism, and major international events.
As the tournament approaches, RAM’s large-scale airlift will play a crucial role in shaping travel flows, regional integration, and overall fan experience offering a revealing glimpse into the country’s growing influence in African aviation and sports diplomacy.
