Airbus seeks to boost its presence in Morocco

LE BOURGET - European aircraft manufacturer Airbus aims to strengthen its presence in Morocco, whose aviation sector offers "plenty of opportunities," stated Wouter Van Wersch, Airbus's Executive Vice President International, on Tuesday.

"We’ve had a longstanding presence in Morocco. The Kingdom is a very close partner of Airbus," Van Wersch told the press after a meeting with the Moroccan delegation at the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, held from June 16 to 22 in the Paris suburbs.

Describing the discussions with the Moroccan delegation as "excellent," the Airbus executive noted a shared willingness to deepen the group’s presence and collaboration in Morocco, where Airbus now employs nearly 2,000 people following the recent acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems’ Casablanca plant.

Welcomed at the Airbus booth, the Moroccan delegation included Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour, Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies Karim Zidane, and Ali Seddiki, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE).

Minister Mezzour recalled on this occasion the strategic agreements between Morocco and Airbus, one of the global leaders in aeronautics. "We are working together on the future outlook of the Moroccan platform," he said.

"Airbus has just acquired the Spirit factory, which manufactures aircraft fuselages, particularly for the A220 in Nouaceur,” he noted, adding that both parties are working toward the ambition of establishing a final aircraft assembly line in Morocco.

Minister Zidane highlighted the timeliness of the meeting with Airbus executives, as Morocco prepares to host major events. He recalled that national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is set to expand its fleet from 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037, emphasizing that this "major market" is already attracting global aerospace leaders. 

He stressed that the Moroccan government insists on a "win-win partnership."

Echoing this, Minister Kayouh described the meeting with Airbus executives as "very fruitful," particularly in view of RAM’s fleet expansion. He underscored the importance of new technologies to "meet the growing needs, especially with the development of the new Casablanca hub, which will serve as a true international and African hub."

For his part, AMDIE Director General Ali Seddiki highlighted Morocco’s strengths, stating that, "thanks to its skilled workforce, high-quality human capital, world-class infrastructure, and a comprehensive industrial strategy, Morocco is well-positioned to support Airbus in its rapid production ramp-up."

Morocco’s participation in this premier global aviation event aims to promote the strengths and opportunities of its aerospace sector and enhance its appeal to industry professionals.

Over the past two decades, Morocco has succeeded in developing a diversified and competitive aeronautical industry, marked by the presence of global leaders such as Boeing, Airbus, Safran, Hexcel, Eaton, Alcoa, Le Piston Français, Daher, Collins Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney.