Royal Air Maroc Extends Dubai and Doha Flight Suspensions Through May and June 2026: What Moroccans Abroad Need to Know
Royal Air Maroc extends its Gulf flight suspensions: Dubai until May 31, Doha until June 30, 2026. Decision linked to regional airspace safety. Full refund, fee-free rebooking, alternatives via Istanbul, Paris or Madrid: everything Moroccans abroad need to know.
Update, September 28, 2026: this article was published on May 4, 2026. The suspension dates it mentions are no longer current: check the status of your flight directly with Royal Air Maroc.
Quick summary
- •Dubai suspension extended until May 31, 2026 at least
- •Doha suspension extended until June 30, 2026 at least
- •Decision linked to the security situation in the Gulf airspace
- •RAM offers full refund or fee-free rebooking
- •Several alternatives exist from Morocco to reach the UAE and Qatar
Official RAM announcements
Royal Air Maroc confirmed in early May 2026 the continued suspension of its flights to the two main Gulf hubs:
- •Casablanca to Dubai (and return): suspended until at least May 31, 2026
- •Casablanca to Doha (and return): suspended until at least June 30, 2026
The Moroccan flag carrier states in its official communique that it is monitoring the situation closely and that resumption of operations is conditional on lasting stabilization of safety conditions in the region.
Why this extension
The context involves persistent tensions in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz since early 2026. Several airspace zones remain classified as high-risk by international aviation authorities, forcing airlines worldwide to divert or suspend their flights to the region.
RAM is applying the highest level of precaution: passenger and crew safety remain the absolute priority.
You have a RAM Dubai or Doha ticket: what to do
If you are affected by a cancelled flight in the periods above, here are the steps.
1. Check your flight status
Before any travel, check your flight status on the official royalairmaroc.com website (Flight Status section) or via Manage My Booking with your ticket number and name.
2. Do not go to the airport
RAM reminds passengers concerned not to go to the airport while their flight is officially cancelled. This avoids unnecessary travel and waiting at the terminal.
3. Contact the call center or point of sale
To activate a care option:
- •RAM call center: numbers available on royalairmaroc.com
- •Original point of sale: agency or platform where the ticket was purchased
- •For MREs: RAM agencies in Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany) and North America
4. Choose between refund and rebooking
You can choose between:
- •Full refund of the ticket even non-refundable per usual fare conditions
- •Travel postponement to another date without modification fees, within applicable fare conditions
- •Rerouting to another destination if relevant (uncommon for Dubai/Doha)
Alternatives to reach the UAE and Qatar from Morocco
If you absolutely must travel to Dubai or Doha during the RAM suspension periods, several options exist.
Direct flights from Casablanca
- •Qatar Airways: still operates some Casablanca-Doha connections within authorized windows
- •Emirates: operates Casablanca-Dubai with their own safety protocols
Indirect flights (with stopover)
- •Via Istanbul: Turkish Airlines operates Casablanca-Istanbul then Istanbul to Dubai/Doha
- •Via Paris or Madrid: Air France or Iberia plus Emirates or Qatar Airways connection
- •Via Cairo: EgyptAir with onward connection to the Gulf
Availability and prices change daily based on the security situation. Flight comparators (Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak) help quickly identify current options.
For Moroccans living in Dubai or Doha who want to return to Morocco
You can:
- •Use a non-RAM flight with stopover (Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates)
- •Travel to another European city with RAM connection (Paris-Casablanca, Brussels-Casablanca)
- •Move your return date to before or after the suspension periods
Your rights as a passenger
Montreal Convention and applicable rights
RAM is a signatory of the Montreal Convention which governs the liability of international air carriers. For cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances (safety, airspace closure), the airline is generally not required to compensate financially, but must:
- •Fully refund the ticket or offer rerouting
- •Cover hotel and meal expenses if you were in transit at the time of the decision
For tickets purchased in Europe
If your RAM ticket was purchased in Europe or for a flight departing from the EU, European Regulation 261/2004 may apply. In case of cancellation, you are entitled to a full refund or rerouting, plus assistance (drinks, meals, accommodation if necessary). Financial compensation is not due in case of extraordinary circumstances.
Quick FAQ
Is my ticket automatically refunded? No. You must request it via the RAM call center, your point of sale, or the Manage My Booking area. The refund is then processed within usual timeframes (4 to 8 weeks depending on the payment method).
Can I get a credit voucher instead of a refund? Yes, RAM often offers exchange vouchers (credits) valid for 12 months across the entire network. This can be advantageous if you have other trips planned.
I booked a non-refundable hotel in Dubai, can RAM refund it? No, RAM only refunds the airline ticket. Ancillary costs (hotel, car rental, activities) are covered by your travel insurance if you have one.
Does my travel insurance cover the cancellation? It depends on your contract. Most insurance policies cover cancellations due to airspace closure if it occurs before your departure. Check your contract or contact your insurer.
What happens if the situation extends beyond June 30 for Doha? RAM will reassess the situation week by week. Monitor the official communiques on royalairmaroc.com and the company official social media accounts.
Official sources
- •Royal Air Maroc, News page: royalairmaroc.com
- •Royal Air Maroc, Flight Status: royalairmaroc.com
- •Article19: article19.ma
- •Yabiladi: en.yabiladi.com
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