Aeronautics: Airbus is banking on Morocco to strengthen its production capacity
Hibapress
The French aircraft manufacturer Airbus is banking on its units in Morocco to strengthen its production capacity to 75 aircraft per month by 2026, said Tuesday in Nouaceur, Patrick Derderian, the Group’s director of international cooperation in charge of Africa.
During a press visit organized by the Group to the Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites factory, Mr. Derderian underlined: “Morocco is the industrial country on which we have relied heavily over the last 70 years, and even more in the last 30 years.” In this context, he highlighted the quality and development of local skills, as evidenced by the 100% Moroccan staff of Airbus Atlantic Maroc factories.
Mr. Derderian also reiterated Airbus’ strong commitment to Morocco, a strategic country for the development of its activities in Africa. This cooperation, based on mutual trust and the exchange of expertise, aims to propel the Moroccan aeronautical industry to new heights, he added.
For his part, the general director of Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites, Housni Faek, indicated that the factory, which is establishing itself as a key player in the manufacturing of composite parts for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, employs nearly 1,000 people and plans to recruit 200 others during 2024.
With an entirely Moroccan team, Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites produces a wide range of composite parts, from cockpit lining to luggage boxes, including trim parts, landing gear doors and seat shells. , explained Mr. Faek, noting that these products are then shipped to France for assembly and then distribution to international airlines.
He also affirmed that Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites actively contributes to the dynamism and excellence of the Moroccan aeronautical industry through its expertise, its capacity for innovation and its commitment to its customers. Built on an area of 30,000 square meters, including 17,000 square meters of production workshops, Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites specializes in the manufacturing of composite parts for the A320 family of aircraft.
The factory notably produces the A320 cockpit as a single supplier for the entire range, demonstrating the operational excellence of the company and the trust of its customers.
The achievements entrusted to Moroccan companies are of strategic importance for Airbus. Indeed, Morocco has been able to develop centers of excellence, particularly in electronics, surface treatment, boilermaking and assembly.
Morocco thus remains a major partner of Airbus in Africa, through Airbus Atlantic Maroc Composites, a subsidiary which supports the rapid development of the Airbus order book of 7,762 aircraft every day.
It should be noted that Airbus has been present in Morocco since 1951 through Airbus Atlantic (formerly STELIA Aerospace Maroc), a 100% subsidiary of Airbus specializing in composite manufacturing, assembly of complex metal subassemblies, maintenance and avionics equipment support.
In 2014, the subsidiary decided to expand its activities in Morocco with the creation of a new 15,000 m2 factory in the Midparc area, to complement the current infrastructure and develop skills. With its two factories, Airbus Atlantic Maroc today has 1,000 employees.
