Macron to Visit Morocco: Airbus Deal and Regional Issues Top Agenda

Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco will mark a new era in the relations between Rabat and Paris. The Sahara, the Sahel, the conflict in the Middle East and illegal immigration are all topics that will be on the agenda of the discussions between the French president and King Mohammed VI. On the economic level, Emmanuel Macron will try to give a boost to the markets coveted by several companies. He will plead in favor of Alstom for the Casablanca-Marrakech High Speed Line market, according to Maghreb Intelligence.

The French president will not overlook the acquisition of 188 Airbus aircraft by Royal Air Maroc (RAM). The ambition of the national airline is to expand its fleet of aircraft with nearly 200 new aircraft in order to support the implementation of the strategic roadmap for the development of the tourism sector for the period 2023-2026. The difficulties encountered by the American manufacturer Boeing, particularly due to the strikes paralyzing its assembly plants in Renton and Everett in the United States, could be an opportunity for Airbus to win this major contract.

Today, Boeing is unable to deliver two Dreamliners to RAM. These planes are supposed to strengthen the fleet that will serve three strategic destinations starting next December and January: Toronto, São Paulo and Beijing. The delivery was supposed to be effective in September.

The 7th edition of the Marrakech Air Show, the International Aeronautics and Space Show, which will take place from October 30 to November 2, 2024 at the Marrakech Royal Air Force Training Base, could be decisive for the main manufacturers wishing to secure major contracts in the new fleet of the national airline.