Royal Air Maroc Signs Starlink Deal for In-Flight Wi-Fi by 2027
Royal Air Maroc signed a contract with Starlink to equip its entire fleet with satellite internet by 2027, becoming the first African airline to adopt the technology.
Royal Air Maroc signed a contract with Starlink, Elon Musk's SpaceX satellite subsidiary, on August 4, 2026, to equip its entire fleet with satellite Wi-Fi. According to information reported by Africa Intelligence, the Moroccan national carrier aims to complete the rollout across all its aircraft by 2027, making it the first African airline to adopt Starlink technology to provide high-speed internet access to passengers.
Months of Negotiations
The contract signing follows several months of technical and financial negotiations between the two parties. Royal Air Maroc had considered Starlink's initial commercial offer too costly, while the American provider highlighted the costs and technical constraints of deploying the service across an entire fleet. Neither company has yet disclosed the full details of the contract or the precise installation schedule by aircraft type. The partnership is part of Starlink's global expansion, following similar agreements with several major airlines worldwide to equip their flights with high-speed internet.
How the Technology Works
Starlink relies on a network of thousands of satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit, unlike the traditional geostationary satellites currently used by most airlines to provide in-flight internet. This technology enables higher connection speeds and lower latency, making it suitable for uninterrupted web browsing and content streaming during long-haul flights.
Why This Deal Matters
The agreement gives Royal Air Maroc a competitive edge over other airlines in the Maghreb and Africa, at a time when global carriers are racing to offer high-speed in-flight internet through low-earth-orbit satellite technology. The Starlink contract is part of a broader expansion plan by the national carrier, which recently received a new Boeing 737 MAX 8, bringing its fleet to 69 aircraft, as part of a plan to reach 200 aircraft by 2037. The carrier is betting on an improved passenger experience on the Europe-Africa corridor, where competition among airlines is intensifying.