Airline Royal Air Maroc

Morocco is a tourist destination with a well-established reputation. The national airline should be its showcase.

Based at Casablanca's Mohamed V Airport, Royal Air Maroc is the flag carrier of this North African kingdom. Although it is located in a third country, it has a strong presence in European skies, particularly in France.

The Moroccan airline has long been praised for its service quality. It has been awarded several times as the best regional airline in Africa. However, no airline is immune to errors or failures.

In case of difficulties, you have certain rights. We remind you of them here.

Royal Air Maroc and European regulations

Royal Air Maroc serves 82 destinations in 41 different countries. Among these, 8 are in Europe, including the United Kingdom. In France alone, it serves 9 airports.

It is therefore partially subject to European regulations.

When departing from a French (or European) airport, you might wonder which law applies. An aircraft is never a lawless zone.

Generally, on a Paris-Casablanca flight, both French and Moroccan law apply. There is also the law of the airline's country of origin. For Royal Air Maroc, this is Moroccan law.

Regarding air passenger compensation, it is a bit more complex. A regulation has been adopted at the European level: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. This governs civil aviation and ensures certain rights for air travellers. These rights come with obligations for airlines.

This regulation applies to:

any flight departing from the European Community area (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland);
flights to the same community area by airlines based there.

Royal Air Maroc is therefore only concerned with flights departing from the European Community area.

Your Rights under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

The rights guaranteed by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 complement those provided by the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions. They also establish a scope and specific obligations for airlines.

Getting Travellers to Their Destination

When booking a flight with Royal Air Maroc or any other airline, you agree to have valid documents and to be on time for boarding.

If you meet these two conditions, the airline must take you to your intended destination.

In practice, flight disruptions are not uncommon. In the event of a flight cancellation, the airline must offer you an alternative flight. Similarly, if you are denied boarding due to overbooking, they must also offer you re-routing.

If no solution suits you, you are entitled to a refund. This is equivalent to the cancellation of your flight. According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, a refund is also possible in the event of a flight delay of more than 5 hours.

If you accept the refund, Royal Air Maroc has no further obligations. In other words, you will need to find another flight yourself, and all incurred expenses will be your responsibility. Likewise, you will not be entitled to any compensation.

It is therefore advised not to request a refund unless no solution is suitable.

Assistance in Case of Severe Delay

In the event of a significant delay, you may incur expenses. You might need to have a meal on site or even stay overnight.

For flights covered by European regulations, Royal Air Maroc must cover these expenses, within reason. You are also entitled to two phone calls.

Compensation, Under Conditions, in Case of Flight Disruption

If your flight is disrupted, you may be entitled to compensation. This is provided for by European regulations in certain situations.

You are eligible if your flight has a significant delay (at least 2 or 3 hours), if it has been cancelled, or if you were denied boarding due to overbooking.

This compensation is not automatically granted; you will need to request it. The request must be justified.

Compensation: How Much Are You Entitled To?

The right to compensation and its amount depend on various factors. Depending on whether you experience a delay, a cancellation, or overbooking, it will be granted more or less easily. The amount mainly depends on the type of flight you take.

In Case of Delay

Flight delays are not uncommon. If this happens to you, you won't always be entitled to compensation. It is not due if the delay is reasonable. It only becomes payable after a certain duration.

The compensation for delay is:

€250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€400 for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
€600 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.

In Case of Flight Cancellation

If your flight is cancelled, the compensation is almost the same, but it is possible regardless of the delay. However, if the delay does not exceed certain limits, the compensation will be reduced. It is reduced to:

€125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours;
€200 for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours;
€300 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours.

In Case of Overbooking

If you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to compensation according to the same scale as for a flight cancellation.

Royal Air Maroc airline website on a handheld phone

Exceptions

If compensation is due, it is paid by Royal Air Maroc. This measure is penalising for the airline. Therefore, they will not have to pay it if they are not responsible for the flight disruption.

They will be exempt from doing so:

if they informed you at least 15 days in advance;
if they re-route you at the same times and under the same conditions;
in case of extraordinary circumstances (strike, weather, geopolitical issues…).

This last point is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It depends on the airline's responsibility. If the strike involves its own staff, for example, it cannot contest its responsibility.

How to Claim Compensation with Royal Air Maroc? Delayed is Here to Help

If your flight with Royal Air Maroc departed from a European airport, you are covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. In case of disruption, you are eligible for compensation.

Does the process seem complicated? Delayed, a specialist in air passenger rights, is here to assist you.