Royal Air Maroc equips 41 aircraft with Starlink connectivity
The Moroccan flag carrier becomes the first African operator to adopt SpaceX's satellite network, with retrofits scheduled across its fleet by early 2027.
Royal Air Maroc has announced plans to integrate SpaceX's Starlink high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband across 41 aircraft. This development makes the Casablanca-based operator the first African carrier to introduce the low-Earth-orbit connectivity system. The initial line-fit and retrofit installations are scheduled for completion by early 2027, with the service offered free of charge to members of its Safar Flyer program.
While the carrier has not officially designated the exact airframes slated for modification, the program is expected to encompass its long-haul fleet of 13 Boeing 787s, comprising both 787-8 and 787-9 variants. It is also anticipated to cover a significant portion of its medium-haul operations, where the airline currently flies 27 Boeing 737-800s and 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with an additional 14 MAX 8 airframes awaiting delivery.
According to data from ch-aviation, Royal Air Maroc manages an active and stored fleet of 76 aircraft as of October 2026, encompassing passenger, VIP, and cargo configurations. The fleet modernisation aligns with the carrier's broader strategic initiative to expand hub operations connecting Africa, Europe, and North America, following earlier intentions reported in April 2024 to acquire up to 200 aircraft.
Why it matters for your training
Understanding inflight connectivity retrofits matters for flight crews as new external antenna installations alter airframe aerodynamics, structural mass and balance data, and shared onboard power buses.
Sources
Article rewritten with the help of AI from the cited sources.