Royal Air Maroc has not yet made a final decision on Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, to provide in-flight connectivity across its fleet, according to official sources at the airline who spoke to Assahifa English.
The sources said the Moroccan carrier is still in talks with several international providers specialising in satellite connectivity for aircraft. The final choice will be based on technical and commercial considerations, including service quality, cost and how well the solution meets the airline’s requirements.
Reports that Royal Air Maroc has already signed a final agreement with Starlink are “inaccurate”, the sources said. They confirmed that the airline is in discussions with Starlink, but is also reviewing proposals from competing companies operating in the in-flight satellite communications sector.
The airline is seeking the most suitable offer rather than committing to a specific provider, with the assessment covering connection speed and stability during flights, as well as installation requirements, maintenance, geographical coverage and the ability to deploy the system across the different aircraft types in its fleet.
The sources said the aim is to introduce a high-quality in-flight internet service as part of a broader effort to improve the passenger experience and expand the services available on board.
Reliable internet connectivity has increasingly become an important part of the passenger experience, particularly on medium- and long-haul international flights, where airlines are competing to offer better digital services.
Royal Air Maroc is targeting the launch of the service in 2027, the sources said. The initial rollout is expected to focus on newer aircraft in the fleet before being gradually extended to other aircraft, following a technical programme to be determined once the provider has been selected and the necessary preparations and certifications completed.
The connectivity project is part of a wider plan to expand and modernise Royal Air Maroc’s fleet. The sources said the airline is preparing to receive new aircraft that are expected to enter service in the coming months, as part of a programme aimed at increasing fleet capacity and supporting the expected growth in destinations and demand for travel to and from Morocco.
The new aircraft are expected to help improve flight regularity and increase capacity, while also enhancing the products and services offered to passengers, including cabin features, digital and entertainment systems and in-flight connectivity.
The sources said the move reflects Royal Air Maroc’s efforts to keep pace with developments in the global aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly turning to satellite-based connectivity to provide faster and more reliable internet access, particularly on intercontinental routes.
Introducing an in-flight internet service would also bring Royal Air Maroc in line with a broader trend among international carriers, as onboard connectivity becomes an increasingly important competitive feature, particularly for business-class passengers and on long-haul flights.
Recent media reports have pointed to an agreement between Royal Air Maroc and Starlink to equip the airline’s fleet with satellite internet. However, the sources told Assahifa that such reports came before the airline had reached a final decision and that negotiations are still ongoing.
Royal Air Maroc will announce its chosen provider once the evaluation of the competing offers and the necessary procedures have been completed, the sources said.
The main criterion, they added, will be selecting the “best offer” capable of providing passengers with a high-quality service while protecting the airline’s commercial interests and competitiveness.
