A C919 aircraft operated by China Southern Airlines taxis at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, South China's Hainan province, on Dec 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
China Southern Airlines recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Royal Air Maroc, Morocco's national and largest airline, to forge enhanced collaboration and build a new aviation corridor between China and the African continent.
Based on enhancing network connectivity between China and Africa, the MOU aims to deepen the partnership between the two airlines and explore broader areas of cooperation to meet the growing travel demand between China and Morocco.
According to the MOU, China Southern and RAM will expand interline cooperation and establish a code-sharing partnership to enhance the complementarity of their respective global route networks, offering passengers and travelers a wider range of travel options.
In addition, both parties will provide each other with cooperation opportunities in passenger and cargo transportation resources and third-party businesses, delivering smoother, more convenient and higher-quality seamless services for travelers, as outlined in the MOU.
Qu Guangji, executive vice-president of China Southern Airlines, said signing the MOU is an important step in response to the Belt and Road Initiative and marks a new starting point for cooperation between China Southern and RAM.
"We look forward to joining hands with Royal Air Maroc to leverage our respective strengths fully, continuously explore more possibilities for cooperation and provide passengers with more seamless and exceptional travel experiences," he said.
Abdelhamid Addou, chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc, said his airline is delighted to execute the partnership with China Southern Airlines, which represents a milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Africa and China.
"The collaboration will allow us to expand travel options for our passengers while enhancing trade and tourism between our regions. And by leveraging our combined strengths, we are committed to providing seamless travel experiences and fostering deeper ties between Africa and China."
RAM resumed the first direct route connecting Morocco and China on Jan 20. The Moroccan Airline now operates the Casablanca-Beijing route three times a week. The route will help strengthen Moroccan tourism and economic and trade ties between the two countries.
