RAM Casablanca–Rio de Janeiro Direct Flight: What It Means for Travelers (2027)

A Second Direct Link Between Morocco and Brazil

In late May 2026, Royal Air Maroc confirmed something Brazilian and Moroccan travelers had been waiting to hear: the national carrier will launch direct flights between Casablanca and Rio de Janeiro in 2027. The announcement, made during a press trip to Morocco organized at the airline's invitation, marks RAM's return to Rio after more than three decades.

The news came with a second piece of good news for the route that already exists: the Casablanca–São Paulo service will grow from four to five weekly flights by the end of 2026.

For travelers on both sides of the Atlantic — and for anyone connecting through Morocco to Africa, Europe, or the Arab world — this is a meaningful expansion of one of the most interesting air corridors in the South Atlantic. Here is what the announcement actually includes, what it means for your next trip, and what is still to be confirmed.

The Announcement: Casablanca–Rio de Janeiro in 2027

Royal Air Maroc confirmed the route in May 2026 after months of signaling. In April, at the WTM Latin America trade fair, Othman Baba — the airline's regional director for Latin America — told the Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA) that the company intended to expand in Brazil and launch flights to Rio de Janeiro. He added a condition: RAM first needed to increase São Paulo frequency, since the city is the "heart" of its operations in the country.

That condition is now being met. Here is the route at a glance:

For context, RAM first flew to RioGaleão International Airport until the early 1990s, when the route was discontinued. The airline returned to Brazil in 2013 — but through São Paulo instead of Rio. That São Paulo route was suspended again in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, resumed in December 2024 with three weekly flights, and increased to four in December 2025. The 2027 Rio launch completes the return to the Brazilian market that began in 2024.

The Bigger Picture: RAM's Brazil Build-Out

São Paulo grows to five weekly flights

The immediate change travelers can act on is the São Paulo frequency increase. By the end of 2026, Royal Air Maroc will operate five weekly flights between Casablanca and São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), up from four. AeroRoutes confirmed the fourth weekly flight entered service on December 2, 2025, with the route flown by the Boeing 787-9 and some rotations on the 787-8.

The capacity math is significant. Per Othman Baba, in 2025 the airline offered around 85,000 seats with three weekly flights; moving to four weekly flights from December brought the service to about 130,000 seats in 2026 — a 30% increase. Adding the fifth frequency by the end of 2026 pushes the corridor further still, a clear sign that Brazil is a growth priority for the carrier.

Why the demand is there

The economics explain the investment. Baba says average occupancy on the São Paulo route is around 80%, with 90% of passengers traveling for leisure — a very healthy profile for a long-haul route. Demand is being pulled from both directions: travelers in Arab countries seeking Brazil, and Brazilian travelers heading to Morocco and beyond.

On the Moroccan side, the National Tourist Office reports Brazilian arrivals rose from about 34,000 in 2023 to nearly 60,000 in 2025, driven by targeted promotion and partnerships. On the Brazilian side, a Brazil–Arab tourism and business conference in São Paulo in 2026 — where RAM highlighted its network — underscored the appetite for deeper ties, with an MoU aimed at attracting Arab investments into Brazil's tourism sector.

What It Means for Travelers

For Brazilian travelers heading to Morocco

The new direct link removes the most annoying part of a Brazil–Morocco trip: the connection. Today, most Brazilian travelers reach Morocco via Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, or other European hubs. A nonstop Casablanca flight saves hours and removes the need to clear transit in a third country.

The timing also matters. Morocco welcomed record visitor numbers in recent years and is expanding hotels, stadiums, and transport ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Demand to visit Morocco is climbing — Morocco tourism economy growth shows the sector's momentum — and a direct air link makes it easier to act on that interest.

Once in Morocco, travelers connect through Casablanca's hub to the rest of the country — things to do in Casablanca or a Casablanca weekend guide are good starting points — or onwards to Marrakech, Fez, the Sahara, and the Atlantic coast.

For travelers in Morocco and Africa

For Morocco-based travelers, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most attractive direct long-haul additions in years. Rio is a gateway to one of South America's biggest economies and most vibrant tourism scenes — and, in 2027, a direct flight from Casablanca cuts a multi-stop journey to a single leg.

Beyond leisure, the route strengthens Casablanca as a transcontinental hub linking Brazil to Africa, Europe, and the Arab world. For business travelers and for tourists in the opposite direction — Moroccans and residents of West Africa flying to Brazil — the Casablanca hub becomes a more natural one-stop option.

Onboard experience

Royal Air Maroc operates its Brazil services with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most modern aircraft in service, primarily the 787-9. The 787 family means quieter cabins, higher cabin pressure, and better humidity — practical comfort on a South Atlantic route of roughly ten hours.

How to Plan Around the Launch

The Rio route does not have a schedule yet, so here is a practical checklist:

If you're flying from Brazil, remember that Morocco is a full destination, not just a connection. Our guide to getting to Morocco covers arrival options, and the best time to visit Morocco helps you choose the season. Budget-minded travelers will also want the Morocco budget travel guide.

What's Still to Be Confirmed

Transparent planning means being clear about what we do not know yet:

• Exact launch month for Rio — Royal Air Maroc has confirmed 2027 but not which month. Historically, Brazilian market seasonality suggests a winter-2027 start, but that is speculation; wait for the official schedule.
• Weekly frequency for Rio — not announced. Watch the airline's announcements.
• Fares — no pricing has been published.
• Aircraft variant — the 787 family is confirmed for Brazil; whether Rio gets the 787-9, the 787-8, or a mix depends on the schedule.

None of these change the headline: the route is confirmed, and capacity into Brazil is expanding now.

Bottom Line

Royal Air Maroc's Casablanca–Rio de Janeiro direct flight in 2027 is a return of a historic route, backed by real demand: 80% occupancy and 90% leisure passengers on the current Brazil service, 30% capacity growth to 130,000 seats, and Brazilian arrivals in Morocco nearly doubling to about 60,000 in 2025.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: São Paulo is the immediate option at five weekly flights, and Rio joins the map in 2027. If you want the strategic view of where this corridor is headed — airport capacity, tourism targets, and the 2030 World Cup effect — read our deep dive into the Brazil–Morocco aviation corridor and the wider Morocco tourism trends before 2030.