Iran-Israel war : Morocco's RAM reroutes Doha-bound flight as Qatar closes airspace
The flight had departed from Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport en route to Hamad International Airport in Doha. RAM assured that the diverted aircraft would return to Casablanca, with its arrival estimated at 8:55 p.m.
? [1/3] Mise à jour opérationnelle – Lundi 23 juin
Suite à la fermeture temporaire de l'espace aérien du Qatar, le vol AT216 CMN–DOH a été dérouté par mesure de précaution.
✈️ Arrivée estimée à Casablanca : 20h55.
? Vérifiez votre vol : https://t.co/DXXQsDg1o6 #RoyalAirMaroc pic.twitter.com/x5rzv8FKC8
— Royal Air Maroc (@RAM_Maroc) June 23, 2025
Earlier in the day, Qatari authorities confirmed the temporary airspace closure, citing heightened security concerns amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measure was taken to ensure the «safety of residents and visitors», following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Later that evening, Iran launched a retaliatory attack targeting U.S. forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Qatari authorities confirmed that their air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
8 hours ago
- Morocco World
Qatar Airways Boosts Flights to Casablanca in Winter 2025 Schedule
Marrakech – Qatar Airways has announced an increase in its flight frequency to Casablanca as part of its expanded winter schedule for 2025. The airline will raise its service from four to five weekly flights to meet growing demand and enhance connectivity through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital and largest city, is among several key global destinations benefiting from increased frequency this winter. This initiative is part of Qatar Airways' efforts to strengthen its presence in the Moroccan market, enabling it to reinforce connections between Africa, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. For the Qatari carrier, Casablanca remains a privileged access point to the North African country's centuries-old heritage and contemporary prospects. The increased service aims to offer passengers more options for traveling to and from the city and to multiply connections to other destinations from the Doha hub. The World's Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2025 for a record ninth time, has introduced increased flights to over 15 global destinations for this year's winter season. The airline is facilitating demand for its services and continues to offer greater choice and connectivity, the company stated in a recent press release. Among the most notable increases in the winter 2025-2026 schedule is London Heathrow service, which will now operate up to 10 daily flights – a record frequency for Qatar Airways on this route, complemented by British Airways' double daily flights. According to the airline, this reflects strong demand for key destinations like London, Dublin, Cape Town, and São Paulo. For the winter 2025-2026 season, Qatar Airways is increasing flight frequencies to several major cities including Abu Dhabi (up to 6 daily flights), Berlin (up to 21 weekly flights), Cape Town (up to 12 weekly flights), Dublin (17 weekly flights), Frankfurt (21 weekly flights), and Johannesburg (18 weekly flights). The airline is also expanding service to London Heathrow (up to 10 daily flights), Madrid (17 weekly flights), the Maldives (up to 4 daily flights), Manchester (24 weekly flights), Phuket (up to 4 daily flights), São Paulo (18 weekly flights), Sharjah (7 daily flights), Tokyo Narita (14 weekly flights), and Toronto (7 weekly flights). Read also: Morocco Signs Landmark $3.7 Billion Deal to Upgrade Airports, Boost Aviation Sector On the technology front, Qatar Airways' fleet now includes 54 Boeing 777s equipped with ultra-high-speed Starlink on-board Wi-Fi, free for all passengers. Qatar Airways is the first airline in the world to fully equip and operate over 50 widebody aircraft with this technology, and the only carrier in the MENA region offering the service. In a recent report, Ookla, the globally recognized leader in internet performance testing, spotlighted Qatar Airways as one of the best-performing airlines using in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, with median download speeds of 120.6 Mbps. This achievement follows the airline's milestone announcement on October 22, 2024, when Qatar Airways operated the world's first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft from Doha to London. Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the 'Best Airport in the Middle East' for 11 consecutive years. Over the years, the airline has consistently expanded and enhanced its network by continually anticipating market trends and evolving travel demands to cater to both leisure and business travelers. Tags: Dohahamad international airportMorocco and QatarQatar Airways
Morocco World
25-07-2025
- Morocco World
Fleet Expansion Plan: Royal Air Maroc Receives 2 New Boeing 737 MAX 8
Rabat – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) received two new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on Thursday as part of the carrier's fleet expansion plan. In a report today, Moroccan news outlet Le360 quoted Royal Air Maroc's head of the Prospective, Strategy and Fleet Department, as emphasizing the importance of the new fleet batch for the company. 'This is a big day for us,' Fadwa Mahamma said, adding that the two aircraft mark a 'significant acceleration in the expansion of our fleet, fully aligned with our company's ambitions supported by the State.' She revealed that Royal Air Maroc has been receiving 'nearly one aircraft every two weeks, meaning that by the end of the year, around ten aircraft will join our fleet.' Mehdi El Yaalaoui, RAM's Director of Strategy and Innovation, echoed Mahamma's remarks, noting that these planes will allow the company to renew its fleet and to improve the onboard experience for its customers. El Yaaloui said the fleet will also reduce its carbon footprint by 15%, citing next-generation engines. 'Each new delivery symbolizes our collective commitment to achieving the goals of our development plan and to being ready for major events like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, two key moments for our country and continent,' he added. In June, RAM's CEO Hamid Addou expressed frustration over Boeing's delays in submitting ordered aircraft. 'You have to offer your customers what they're paying for. And in the economy… You have to offer the kind of service they're expecting. So we need to invest in the product, and we are already doing it,' Addou told CNN. 'One feels frustrated when you have 15 to 18 months of late deliveries,' Addou said, but acknowledged that all executives and airlines face the same and that promises have been made and steps have been taken for things to evolve in the 'right direction.' Tags: Royal Air MarocRoyal Air Maroc (RAM)
Morocco World
25-07-2025
- Morocco World
President Abbas Welcomes France's Plan to Recognize Palestine
Rabat – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed satisfaction with France's willingness to recognize the State of Palestine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the news on Thursday, saying that they will make it official at the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September. 'This move is a victory for the Palestinian cause,' Abbas said, stressing that the news reflects France's commitment to support the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights to their homeland. For Abbas, Macron's decision reflects the role of countries that believe in the two-state solution, urging all countries to recognize the Palestinian state. Macron's announcement is notably significant, as it puts France as the first G7 country to announce it will recognize Palestine's sovereignty. While France's decision was welcomed by many, Israel predictably took offense, describing the news as a move that 'rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy.' 'A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it,' Benjamin Netanyahu argued. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also condemned the decision, claiming that a 'Palestinian state will be a Hamas state.' The United States, Israel's strongest ally and backer, also rejected France's plan, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing the decision as 'reckless.' 'This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,' Rubio said, touting the usual narrative that automatically comes out of Washington when discussing Palestinian sovereignty. His remarks come as Israel continues its genocidal war on Gaza, with a starvation campaign that over 21 months has now amounted to the killing of 114 Palestinians. Despite this backlash, many other countries have, meanwhile, welcomed France's decision. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait all celebrated Macron's announcement today. Tags: free palestinepalestine and france
