Moroccan aerospace industry consolidates its value chain

Morocco is strengthening its position in the international aerospace sector. With more than 150 aeronautical companies that have at least one factory in Morocco, contributing more than $2.5 billion annually, the North African country is demonstrating the willingness of the world's leading companies to collaborate in the growth and development of the sector, with the aim of strengthening Morocco's industrial base and sustainably consolidating its supply chains. 

Following the success of the Moroccan delegation at the Paris Air Show last week, the French magazine Le Point interviewed the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour. 

During the conversation, the minister highlighted the dynamism of the sector and explained that the presence of more than 150 companies has generated nearly 26,000 full-time jobs. These activities are mainly concentrated in Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat and Fez. ‘In terms of annual turnover alone, we are talking about 2.5 billion euros,’ he said. 

Beyond its recent successes, Morocco has consolidated a solid base in the maintenance and development of the fundamental pillars of the industry over the last few decades. 

For the minister, the collaboration between Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and the French group Safran on the development of CFM engines marked a milestone as one of the ‘most recent strategic alliances’, which was reinforced by Emmanuel Macron's visit at the end of 2024. 

In addition to technological and industrial development, Morocco is also promoting the development of a skilled workforce. According to Mezzour, the country has the necessary capabilities to take on these technological challenges. ‘We train 23,000 engineers every year, and around 400 of them go straight into the aeronautical sector,’ he said. 

Morocco is ready for diversification. In terms of operating conditions, Morocco offers a key advantage: competitive labour costs of around 25 euros per hour, compared to 100 or 120 euros in Europe or the United States. But the country is also ready to refocus its production on niche markets where the sector needs it most. The minister does not rule out even greater ambitions: ‘We believe we could offer a final assembly line for commercial aircraft within ten years.’ 

Finally, Mezzour confirmed that Royal Air Maroc is looking into expanding its fleet with new models. One of the planes the airline has its eye on is the Airbus A220, a medium-haul aircraft that, he explained, ‘is perfectly suited to RAM's European network.’