Why it Matters
- Strengthens bilateral cooperation between Morocco and China in aviation, trade, and tourism.
- Expands passenger connectivity through codeshare and network integration agreements.
- Builds on Morocco’s 2016 royal visit to China, advancing South–South cooperation.
- Enhances Africa–Asia air links, supporting economic and cultural exchange across both regions.
China Eastern Airlines and Royal Air Maroc signed, on Saturday 18 October 2025 in Shanghai, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking a major milestone in the development of their strategic partnership.
The agreement was signed by Mr Wang Zhiqing and Mr Hamid Addou, the Presidents of the two airlines, in the presence of senior representatives from both parties.
The protocol aims to significantly strengthen air connectivity between Morocco and China to support the continued growth of economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.
The comprehensive partnership includes the implementation of a codeshare agreement on major routes, the expansion of connections beyond each airline’s respective hubs, and the signing of a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA) designed to enhance the complementarity of their networks.
Through these agreements, passengers of both airlines will benefit from a wider network of destinations, smoother connections, and an improved travel experience between the two regions.
The two carriers also plan to broaden their cooperation to other areas of air transport, with a shared ambition to deliver high-quality services and strengthen operational and commercial synergies.
“On behalf of China Eastern Airlines, I am pleased to conclude this partnership with Royal Air Maroc. The long-standing friendship and close cooperation between China and Morocco have laid the solid foundations for our collaboration in the aviation sector. By capitalising on the strategic role of our Shanghai hub and Royal Air Maroc’s strong presence across Africa, our networks naturally complement each other. We are fully committed to deepening our strategic cooperation in the air transport market between China and Africa, driven by a shared vision of a comprehensive and sustainable partnership,” said Mr Wang Zhiqing, President of China Eastern Airlines.
For his part, Mr Hamid Addou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Maroc, stated:
“This strategic partnership between Royal Air Maroc and China Eastern Airlines forms part of Morocco’s ongoing efforts, in line with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, following the momentum initiated by the Royal Visit to China in 2016. These efforts aim to inject renewed dynamism into bilateral relations, strengthen the solid friendship between the two nations, and build an effective and multidimensional South–South cooperation model. This vision was concretely realised by Royal Air Maroc through the launch, for the first time in the history of both countries, of a direct route linking Casablanca to Beijing. Today, we are continuing this momentum through this partnership, strengthening connections and, above all, building human, economic, tourism, and cultural bridges between the two nations.”
It is worth noting that Royal Air Maroc resumed, on 20 January 2025, the first direct connection between Morocco and China, with three weekly flights operated between Casablanca and Beijing. Meanwhile, Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern, inaugurated on 19 January 2025 an air route between Shanghai and Casablanca via Marseille, with three weekly frequencies. Since 25 September 2025, the airline has increased this service by adding a fourth weekly frequency, operated directly between Shanghai and Casablanca. The airline plans to gradually transition all flights to direct operations to enhance passenger comfort and streamline connections. This new route serves as a key lever to strengthen air links between China, Morocco, and the African continent as a whole.
