Ryanair is weighing Morocco as a leading option for a major aircraft engine maintenance and repair facility, in a potential $800m investment.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the airline is in talks over six possible locations for two engine sites. He named Morocco, along with Spain, Italy, the Baltic states and Northern Ireland, as finalists during comments at Aviation Week in Vienna.
A decision on the first site is expected within the next few months.
The move would mark a significant expansion of Ryanair’s footprint in Morocco, where it has been growing quickly. In April 2026, the airline opened its fifth base in Rabat, a $200m investment that added two aircraft and 20 new routes.
Ryanair says it has already invested more than $1.6bn in Morocco and supports over 8,500 jobs across 13 cities. The airline is continuing to expand as Morocco prepares for major international events, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Morocco has been steadily building its aerospace industry over the past two decades, aiming to position itself as a key hub in global aviation manufacturing and maintenance.
Much of the activity is centred around the Midparc industrial zone near Casablanca. This week, Pratt & Whitney Canada opened a new facility there focused on engine components, joining major industry players such as Boeing, Airbus and Safran already operating in the country.
The sector has been supported by government policy designed to attract manufacturers and create linked industrial zones. Lower labour costs, proximity to Europe and tax incentives have also helped draw investment.
In parallel, military aviation projects have added to technical capacity. In early 2026, construction began on a maintenance hangar for F-16 and C-130 aircraft, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin and Sabena Engineering.
The broader push comes as Morocco prepares for the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The event is driving major upgrades to transport infrastructure.
Under its “Airports 2030” plan, the government is investing around $3.8bn to raise passenger capacity to 95 million by 2035, with expansions planned at key airports including Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech.
At the same time, national carrier Royal Air Maroc is aiming to significantly expand its fleet in the coming years, increasing demand for maintenance services.
Morocco’s “Open Skies” agreement with the European Union has also been a key factor in Ryanair’s growth there. It allows for easier access to the European market and has helped make long-term investment more attractive.
