Royal Air Maroc (RAM) became the first non-EU carrier to cancel services to Belgium because of the looming 12 March general strike. In a notice published on 9 March 2026, the Moroccan flag-carrier said flights AT 832/833 (Casablanca ⇄ Brussels) and AT 636/637 (Marrakech ⇄ Brussels) are cancelled and outlined flexible rebooking and refund options. Affected passengers may: 1) rebook free of charge on any RAM flight to Brussels within 15 days of the original date; 2) rebook on services to Amsterdam-Schiphol within three days; or 3) obtain a full refund. The airline specifically urged travellers *not* to go to the airport on 12 March and to process changes via its call-centre or point of sale. The move underscores how the Belgian strike ripple is spreading along North-South business corridors.
![Royal Air Maroc pulls Brussels flights for 12 March and offers free rebooking]()
For travelers rerouting through alternative airports or adjusting schedules, checking visa validity for Schengen or transit countries becomes crucial. VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) lets individuals and corporate mobility managers confirm entry requirements and obtain any needed e-visas or transit authorisations in a few clicks, ensuring that last-minute rebookings via Amsterdam, Paris or other hubs do not hit unexpected document snags.
Morocco-Belgium traffic is fuelled by diaspora visits and a growing volume of project travel linked to renewable-energy, aerospace and pharmaceutical partnerships. Travel-management companies estimate that 1,200 Belgian-bound seats will disappear on 12 March just on RAM services, not counting codeshares. RAM’s quick action contrasts with some European carriers that have adopted a “wait-and-see” stance, issuing travel waivers but holding off formal cancellations until 48 hours before departure. Analysts say RAM’s decisive communication may limit EU-mandated compensation exposure and protect onward-connection integrity for passengers transiting its Casablanca hub. For mobility teams, the message is clear: third-country airlines will align with the Belgian shutdown, and staff movements for mid-March should be redesigned around 11 or 13 March departure windows or nearby airports such as Amsterdam and Paris.
For travelers rerouting through alternative airports or adjusting schedules, checking visa validity for Schengen or transit countries becomes crucial. VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) lets individuals and corporate mobility managers confirm entry requirements and obtain any needed e-visas or transit authorisations in a few clicks, ensuring that last-minute rebookings via Amsterdam, Paris or other hubs do not hit unexpected document snags.
Morocco-Belgium traffic is fuelled by diaspora visits and a growing volume of project travel linked to renewable-energy, aerospace and pharmaceutical partnerships. Travel-management companies estimate that 1,200 Belgian-bound seats will disappear on 12 March just on RAM services, not counting codeshares. RAM’s quick action contrasts with some European carriers that have adopted a “wait-and-see” stance, issuing travel waivers but holding off formal cancellations until 48 hours before departure. Analysts say RAM’s decisive communication may limit EU-mandated compensation exposure and protect onward-connection integrity for passengers transiting its Casablanca hub. For mobility teams, the message is clear: third-country airlines will align with the Belgian shutdown, and staff movements for mid-March should be redesigned around 11 or 13 March departure windows or nearby airports such as Amsterdam and Paris.
