Royal Air Maroc recruits internationally due to pilot shortage

Royal Air Maroc is launching an international recruitment campaign to address a shortage of qualified pilots needed to support its expanding fleet. The airline is specifically seeking experienced captains and co-pilots who are already certified on Boeing 737 NG/MAX, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Embraer E170/E190 aircraft, with roles expected to begin as early as September 2026.

To meet immediate operational needs, the carrier is requiring high levels of experience: captains must have at least 1,000 hours of flight time as a commander on specific aircraft types, while co-pilots require a minimum of 300 hours.

This international search has raised concerns among Moroccan-trained pilots. Some professionals, despite holding commercial pilot licenses and necessary theoretical qualifications, report difficulty finding entry points into the national carrier. Critics point to a gap in the domestic training pipeline, noting that while the airline seeks highly experienced foreign aviators, there appear to be limited intermediate pathways for local pilots to gain the specific flight hours required for these advanced roles.