Morocco's aerospace industry is bigger than most people think

When people think of Morocco, they think of Marrakech and the Sahara. Few think of aircraft parts. They should. Morocco now has more than 150 aerospace companies and about 26,000 people working in the industry. Parts made near Casablanca go into aircraft flown all over the world.

The numbers are moving fast. Aerospace exports reached 14.13 billion dirhams in the first half of 2025, up 8.9% on the year before. GIMAS, the industry's trade group, expected about US$3 billion for the full year. It thinks exports can reach about US$5 billion within three years.

Who builds what

The biggest names are already there. Safran announced a new investment of more than 3.4 billion dirhams in October 2025. Airbus, through its Stelia business, is credited with supporting more than 10,000 jobs in the country. Boeing is working with the government on a plan for 8,700 more jobs and about one billion euros of economic impact by 2028.

In June 2025, Figeac Aero and Boeing signed a partnership in Casablanca. Other names on Morocco's aerospace lists include Hexcel, Latecoere, Collins Aerospace, Spirit AeroSystems, Thales, Daher, SABCA and Segula.

Much of this happens around Midparc, the country's largest aerospace industrial zone, near Casablanca. Keeping suppliers close together is a big part of the appeal.

Morocco also wants more of the value to stay at home. About 40 to 43% of what goes into its aerospace output is now sourced locally, up from 35% in 2022. The official target was 50%.

The planes are busy too

It isn't only factories. Morocco's airports handled about 36.3 million passengers in 2025, a record and 11% more than in 2024. Casablanca took 32% of that traffic, Marrakech 28% and Agadir 10%. Marrakech passed 10 million passengers for the first time.

Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc carry much of the country's scheduled traffic. On the private side, firms such as Air Ocean Maroc, Sarah Airways and Morocco Air Charter serve business and charter flyers.

Why it matters now

Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. That means more visitors, more flights and more pressure on airports and aircraft. The country is also selling itself harder abroad: it ran a national pavilion at the Farnborough Airshow in 2026.

The industry has a familiar face back in charge too. Mohammed Bellatig, who led GIMAS when it was founded in 2006, returned as president in July 2026.

Put it together and you get a simple picture. Morocco sits close to Europe, it has a skilled workforce, and it already works with the biggest names in aviation. If you buy aerospace parts or services, it's worth a look.

Find Moroccan aviation companies

The Flying Engineer lists aviation companies across Morocco, from manufacturers and flight schools to charter operators and balloon flights. We'll be in Marrakech on 27 and 28 November to meet more of them.

Sources: GIMAS, Morocco's airports office, Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Trade, and reporting by Hespress, Morocco World News and North Africa Post.