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Airbus eyes deeper collaboration with Morocco's thriving aviation sector
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has expressed its intention to strengthen ties with Morocco, leveraging the country’s rapidly growing aviation industry. Speaking at the 55th Paris Air Show, Wouter Van Wersch, Airbus’s executive vice president for international affairs, highlighted Morocco’s strategic importance as a partner in the global aerospace sector.
Van Wersch described the discussions with Moroccan officials as “excellent,” emphasizing the shared ambition to expand Airbus’s footprint in the Kingdom. The company, which recently acquired Spirit AeroSystems’ fuselage production facility in Casablanca, now employs nearly 2,000 people in Morocco. This acquisition underlines Morocco’s increasing role as a key hub for Airbus operations.
Moroccan delegation highlights strategic partnerships
The high-level Moroccan delegation at the Paris Air Show included Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour, Deputy Minister for Investment Karim Zidane, and AMDIE Director General Ali Seddiki. Together, they engaged with Airbus representatives to discuss bolstering industrial cooperation.
Minister Mezzour praised Morocco’s strategic agreements with Airbus, noting that the country’s aerospace platform is poised for growth. He highlighted the recent acquisition of the Spirit AeroSystems facility, which manufactures fuselages for Airbus’s A220 model, as a significant milestone. Mezzour also revealed ambitions to establish final aircraft assembly capabilities in Morocco, signaling the country’s intent to climb higher in the global aviation value chain.
Expansion plans align with major global events
Deputy Minister Karim Zidane emphasized the importance of Morocco’s aviation expansion, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the national carrier, plans to increase its fleet from 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037, creating lucrative opportunities for global aviation giants like Airbus.
Zidane underscored the Moroccan government’s commitment to fostering “win-win partnerships” with industry leaders. He welcomed Airbus’s willingness to invest further in Morocco, particularly in technology transfer and knowledge sharing.
Transport Minister Abdessamad Kayouh echoed these sentiments, discussing the importance of new technologies and infrastructure to support RAM’s fleet expansion and Casablanca’s ambitions to become a leading international aviation hub.
Morocco’s competitive edge in the aerospace industry
Ali Seddiki, Director General of AMDIE, outlined Morocco’s strengths as an aerospace hub, citing its skilled workforce, high-quality infrastructure, and comprehensive industrial strategy. These factors, he said, make Morocco an ideal partner for European manufacturers like Airbus seeking to boost production capacity.
Morocco’s pavilion at the Paris Air Show, organized in partnership with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Group (GIMAS), showcased the country’s aerospace expertise. Featuring six Moroccan companies, the pavilion highlighted the sector’s innovation and dynamism, attracting the attention of global industry leaders.
Over the past two decades, Morocco has built a diversified and competitive aerospace sector, hosting major global players such as Boeing, Safran, Pratt & Whitney, and Daher. The government’s efforts to enhance the sector’s capabilities reaffirm Morocco’s position as a rising star in the global aviation industry.
