Royal Air Maroc Officials Assure Safety

In what could be described as another boost for the country’s aviation industry is the advent of a new airline known as Royal Air Maroc.

Royal Air Moroc has launched its operations in The Gambia during a press briefing held on Monday 26th October, 2009, at Coco Ocean Resort and Spa in Kololi.

Addressing journalists at the occasion, Mr.Aissa Aberouch, Royal Air Maroc’s General Manger for The Gambia assured all and sundry of the safety of their airline.

According to him, the company has a young and efficient fleet, with an average aircraft of less than 7 years, a figure well below the world average of over 11 years.

He unveiled that by 2012 they would embark on a massive renovation of their aircrafts, thus will have the youngest fleet in Africa.

"I think if there is an airline in Africa that is doing the best to continue security measure is Royal Air Maroc," said GM Aissa.

He revealed that they would be flying twice a week from here to Casablanca.

"From Casablanca we have more than two hundred flights a day to Europe, America and all over the world," he said.

For his part, Mr. Mourad Elkanabi, the airlines’ 2nd Vice-President responsible for Africa and Middle East said that they would in future help bring tourists into the country, thus help develop The Gambia’s tourism industry.

He noted that over the years, Royal Air Morocco has established a network of over 70 destinations, including the great capitals of Europe, North America, Africa, and Middle East.

"Apart from its numerous local destinations inside Morocco, RAM flies to across the world and now in The Gambia."

He revealed that they have a special tariff for the Tijans as the brotherhood is found both in Morocco and The Gambia.

Mr. Ahmed Sentisis, the Vice-President of Fez Tourism Board assured that they would work with the Moroccan authorities regarding visa arrangements between the two countries in order to ensure easy movement of people between Banjul and Casablanca.

Royal Air Maroc is also on course to become one of the first companies to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, said Mr. Ahemed.

He said that the Royal Air Maroc also has a training college with an international reputation, called the RAM Academy, which has successfully trained more than 4,000 aviation professionals according to the standards of major airlines.

Students are trained into pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance technicians and as airline sales and ticketing staff.

Mr. Patrick Wydar, Operations Manager of Coco Ocean thanked the RAM for choosing their hotel inaugurating the operation of their company in The Gambia.

The press briefing which ended with a special diner was chaired by Mr.Ebou Waggeh.

Meanwhile, according to officials, the RAM's maiden flight to The Gambia has already arrived in the country around 2am on Monday from Casablanca, Morocco on board officials of the airline, among others.