HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Quyou, confirmed during the opening of the fifth session of the Global Implementation Support Symposium "GISS 2026" of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held in Marrakech, today, Tuesday, April 14th, that Morocco continues to consolidate its position as a major regional and international player in the civil aviation sector, thanks to major reforms and continuous investments in air infrastructure.
This symposium, organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, came to embody the special attention that Morocco gives to developing the civil aviation sector and enhancing its openness to international standards, as well as supporting cooperation with the "ICAO" organization in the fields of safety and air security. In his speech, the Minister welcomed the guests of Morocco, about 30 ministers and experts participating in this international event, highlighting the importance of Marrakech hosting this global event, for its cultural, tourist, and diplomatic radiance, and what it represents as a symbol of openness and diversity. He also praised the pivotal role played by the International Civil Aviation Organization, especially through its initiatives aimed at enabling all countries to benefit from the best practices in the aviation sector, headed by the "No Country Left Behind" initiative. The Minister confirmed that the slogan of this session, "Regional Solutions for Global Impact", reflects the profound transformation in the approach to civil aviation issues, by strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging experiences between countries, to ensure the development of a more integrated and sustainable sector. He pointed out that the air transport sector is experiencing rapid growth globally, as the number of passengers is expected to increase from about 5 billion in 2025 to about 14 billion passengers by 2050, which imposes major challenges related to safety, infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainability. In this context, the Minister highlighted that Morocco is keeping pace with this transformation through tangible results, as the Kingdom's airports received more than 36 million passengers in 2025, with about 270,000 air movements recorded, supported by a network connecting Morocco with more than 170 international destinations. He also pointed out that this dynamic is based on a modern infrastructure that includes 18 international airports, in addition to the role of Royal Air Maroc, which secures a network that includes more than 90 destinations around the world, enhancing the Kingdom's position as an air bridge connecting Africa with Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Regarding modernization and development, the Minister revealed the Kingdom's adoption of an advanced digital vision in airport management, through modern systems such as advance passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR), in addition to electronic gate technologies and biometric systems, which contributes to accelerating procedures and improving the travel experience. He also stressed that these achievements fall within a comprehensive strategic vision, which includes the "Airports 2030" program that aims to raise the absorption capacity of airports from 40 to 80 million passengers annually, in addition to the development plan of Royal Air Maroc, which is moving towards doubling its fleet to reach about 200 aircraft by 2037. On the industrial side, the Minister highlighted that the Moroccan aviation sector has become a strategic industry that includes about 150 companies and provides more than 25,000 direct jobs, with a turnover of nearly 26 billion dirhams, stressing that Morocco has become an attractive platform for global investments in this field. The Minister concluded his speech by confirming that Morocco, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is moving forward in strengthening its position as a regional and international center for civil aviation, by developing infrastructure, strengthening air connectivity, and keeping pace with the upcoming major international entitlements, foremost of which is the 2030 World Cup.
