Royal Air Maroc & Qatar Airways form joint venture. More JVs for each as RAM eyes oneworld alliance

The planned joint venture between Royal Air Maroc and Qatar Airways will be a relatively small but tidy affair. More importantly, it signals the future direction: each carrier will work more with partners. Qatar Airways plans more JVs, with a IAG one highly anticipated. Qatar has an existing JV with Cathay Pacific. RAM is planning a JV with Iberia, with the Iberia and Qatar partnerships likely to be followed by joining the oneworld alliance. RAM will give oneworld a long-sought expanded presence in Africa.

Under the JV, RAM will operate from Casablanca to Doha three times a week from 09-Sep-2015 with its 787-8, supplementing Qatar's existing daily service. Qatar is expected to open a service to Marrakech. Qatar will gain access to RAM's Africa network from Morocco while RAM beyond Doha is eyeing Asian connections. Accessing Qatar's Asian network has smartly taken precedence over a risky plan for RAM to fly to Beijing.