RAM next to join equity alliance?

Royal Air Maroc could tie up with a major carrier in the Gulf ahead of privatisation, according to the country’s tourism minister.
The airline, which received a $193m bailout from the Moroccan government recently, has faced increased competition from European based LCCs following the introduction of Morocco’s open-skies policy in 2007. The government also handed Air Maroc $900m with which to upgrade itself by 2016 which to date is being burned on operating expenses. “There will be privatisation, but I think there will probably be some kind of strategic alliance with a good carrier,” Lahcen told Arabian Business
Air Maroc posted €518m of losses last year, and with France back in recession and Spanish output still falling it is likely that bookings in its two core markets will continue to fall – the airline needs a partner to survive and a good deal would be given to any taker – that is the message from the government here, a message that Etihad might well consider.