Moroccan low-cost air company views one million passengers in 1st year

Moroccan low-cost air company "Atlas Blue," an offshoot of state-owned carrier "Royal Air Maroc" says it hopes to carry one million passengers between Europe and Morocco in the first year of its existence.

"We expect one million passengers on year 1 and 2 millions in 2008-2009," said the company's sales director, Karim Benchekroun, at a press conference in the French southern city of Lyon.

Atlas Blue which operates three regular weekly flights between Lyon and Marrakesh will start next month 2 weekly flights between Marrakech and Bordeaux and 2 others between Toulouse and Marrakesh.

Starting April, the company will be operating four additional weekly flights between Lyon and Marrakech and 2 new flights between Lyon and Agadir (southern Atlantic city).

"Unlike other low-cost companies, our booking network will be open to tour operators. During flights a warm meal and cold snacks will be served free of charge to passengers," he added.

Set up in May 2004, the company is also present on other destinations (Brussels-4 weekly flights), London (4), Zurich (1), Geneva (2) and Amsterdam (1).

He added that the tourism sector in Morocco is very promising as in 2004, the kingdom attracted 5.5 million tourists and the goal is to reach 10 million tourists by 2010.

Atlas Blue is owned 100% by Royal Air Maroc. It operates a fleet of 6 Boeing 737-400.