King Mohammed VI has overseen the launch of a new aircraft parts factory by Safran in Nouaceur, boosting Morocco’s aviation industry.
The ceremony was held at the Royal Palace in Casablanca on Friday. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was also present.
The factory will be built in Midparc, an industrial area near Casablanca that focuses on aviation. It will make landing gear systems for the Airbus A320 aircraft family. The project is worth about $300m and is expected to create 500 jobs.
Safran said the site will become one of its main global centres for landing gear production. The factory will handle detailed metal cutting, special treatments, assembly, testing, approval checks and maintenance. It will run fully on clean energy.
Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour said making landing gear in Morocco shows the country can handle advanced and sensitive aircraft parts. He said about 25,000 people already work in Morocco’s aviation sector and that the new factory will create more chances for young workers.
Safran chairman Ross McInnes said Morocco is a key country for the company, which has been operating there for more than 25 years. He said the factory’s closeness to Airbus assembly lines in Europe will help the company work faster and more efficiently.
The event ended with the signing of an agreement by government ministers and Safran’s chairman under the King’s leadership.
Morocco has spent the past 20 years building its aviation industry, supported by modern infrastructure, a stable economy and skilled workers.
