Morocco is achieving a new achievement in the global aviation industry, specifically in the manufacture of Airbus aircraft, and the improvement of its environmentally and climate-friendly components.
140 Moroccan components on the Airbus “A220”
The new Airbus A220 includes more than 140 components that are manufactured in Morocco, according to Heidi Akoum, vice president of sales for Africa and the Levant at the European planemaker, hoping to get an order for the model, which serves short regional flights. . Royal Air Maroc “after overcoming the repercussions of the Corona crisis.”
The statements of the official at the “Airbus” company came during the presentation of the plane for the first time in Morocco on Thursday night, December 8, 20222; He added, in an interview with Al-Sharq News Channel, that “the A220 includes 140 parts manufactured in Morocco, and is characterized by 25% less carbon dioxide emissions, and its nitrogen oxide emissions decrease by 50% compared to the previous one.” It is manufactured for the medium-capacity market. From 100 to 150 seats.
Despite the presence of “Airbus” in Morocco since 1951, Royal Air Maroc does not favor its aircraft, as most of its fleet consists of American “Boeing” aircraft. Instead, the European company has been dealing with the Moroccan army since 1991.
An order from Royal Air Maroc
Airbus is betting on receiving an order from Royal Air Maroc after overcoming the effects of border closures during the Corona epidemic, and the rise in fuel prices on its financial balance, as official estimates indicate that it will eventually record losses of 2.7 billion dirhams. of the year
Mikael Hawari, President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East, indicated that the company deals with more than 100 suppliers in Morocco, provides 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generates more than one billion euros in annual revenues for the aviation industry in the Kingdom. Which represents between 60 and 80 million euros.% of the sector.
The aviation industry is “competitive” in Morocco
The aviation industry is one of the most important Moroccan sectors, as it exported 142 companies at the end of October 2022, with a value of 17 billion dirhams ($1.6 billion), and it is expected to exceed the ceiling of 20 billion dirhams ($1.8 billion). First time.
In Morocco, Airbus manufactures the main parts of all its aircraft, such as sheet metal, cabin parts, engine casings and electrical wiring, as well as operates lines and equipment for assembling parts for private aircraft, through three manufacturing centers in the Kingdom.
The modern aircraft shown by Airbus in Morocco was purchased by the Latvian government-owned Air Baltic Company, and has a flight range of 6,390 km. So far, the company has received 788 orders from more than 25 customers around the world, including 232 customers. It has been delivered to 16 airlines in the country, Europe and Africa, while 566 orders are still pending as of the end of last October.
According to Airbus forecasts, African airlines will need 1,230 new aircraft by 2040 to respond to the growth of passenger traffic to and from Africa by 4.1%, in addition to maintenance needs that will double, and Morocco will play an important role in responding to this. Demand given the experience accumulated in this field.