Canary Islands Conservatives Seek to Block Morocco from Taking Over Sahara Airspace Management
Spain’s Popular Party wants to prevent a possible transfer to Morocco of management of Sahara airspace. A proposal will be considered on Tuesday, October 13, in the Canary Islands Parliament. Conservatives fear consequences for safety, tourism and the archipelago’s air links.
Control of Sahara airspace is once again at the heart of Spain’s political tensions. David Morales, a Popular Party lawmaker in the Canary Islands, is calling on Pedro Sánchez’s government to guarantee that management of this airspace will remain in Spanish hands. Above all, he wants to know the contents of the discussions with Rabat and what concessions Madrid may be considering.
“The Canary Islands cannot be left out,” the lawmaker warned, according to La Laguna Ahora. He believes any change could affect links with Europe, air safety, Spain’s military interests and rescue operations along the Atlantic migration route.
The lawmaker goes further. In his view, transferring management to Morocco could leave the Canary Islands “totally cut off from Community airspace.”
A vote expected on October 13 in the Canary Islands
The Popular Party filed a proposal officially registered with the Canary Islands Parliament on September 25, and it was published on October 6. Its consideration is on the agenda for the session on Tuesday, October 13.
The text calls for air traffic management to remain with Spanish organization ENAIRE, from the Canary Islands control center. It also calls on Madrid to inform the archipelago’s authorities of any negotiations with Rabat and to submit any proposed changes to parliamentary debate, in accordance with international procedures.
The latest move comes amid a long-running issue. In April 2022, Morocco and Spain agreed to begin discussions on airspace management. Two years later, Madrid confirmed that two meetings had been held with Moroccan authorities, while assuring that the talks concerned technical cooperation and safety, not a transfer of control.
Air traffic over the Sahara currently remains within the flight information region managed from the Canary Islands. The PP is now demanding that any change to this arrangement be discussed with the archipelago’s elected representatives. No decision to transfer management to Morocco has been announced.
