Mohammed Bellatig is back at the head of the Group of Moroccan Aerospace Industries (GIMAS), 20 years after helping create the organisation. His appointment as president took effect on 8 July.
Bellatig was the founding president of GIMAS when it was set up on 11 September 2006. He helped build the country’s aerospace industry from its early days.
An aerospace engineer trained at ISAE-Supaéro in Toulouse, France, Bellatig spent most of his career at Royal Air Maroc, where he worked in aircraft maintenance.
As technical director, he helped launch several major aerospace companies with international partners.
They included SAESM, formerly SMES, which repairs and overhauls jet engines. The company works on CFM56 engines, carrying out turbine inspections, fan module servicing and engine testing.
He also helped create MATIS Aerospace with Boeing and Safran. The company makes Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS), producing wiring harnesses used on aircraft including the Boeing 737, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and several Airbus models.
Another project was Aerotechnic Industries, a joint venture between Royal Air Maroc and Air France-KLM at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. The facility carries out heavy aircraft maintenance, including C-checks, structural repairs, cabin upgrades and system modifications for Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 737 Next Generation jets.
Bellatig also helped establish Satys SP Maroc with the Satys group. The company specialises in aircraft painting, surface treatment, chemical stripping, structural sealing and protective coatings for aircraft parts. He is now its Managing Director and a member of its board.
He also chaired the boards of SAESM and Aerotechnic Industries.
GIMAS represents more than 140 aerospace companies in the country. The association works with the government and industry to develop the sector, strengthen local suppliers and train skilled workers through the Institut des Métiers de l’Aéronautique (IMA). Its members operate across manufacturing, machining, composite materials, avionics, assembly and maintenance.
Bellatig has also written for aviation publications including MRO Management, Id Aero, Snecma Magazine and African Aviation Magazine.
His experience spans aircraft maintenance, manufacturing and industrial partnerships with companies including Boeing, Safran and Air France-KLM.
