Lomé – Under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Morocco is working tirelessly to promote African air transport integration, Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh said on Tuesday in Lomé.
In a statement to MAP on the sidelines of the first African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Air Transport Convention and Exhibition 2026 (AFCAC Expo 2026), Kayouh said the event provided an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s leading role in implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative, launched by the African Union in 2018 with the aim of liberalizing the continent’s aviation sector.
“Morocco is fully committed to developing its aviation sector in cooperation with its African sister countries, through daily flights from Casablanca to 32 African capitals,” he said, adding that this momentum is expected to gain further strength within the framework of SAATM.
The initiative was discussed with African ministers, particularly with regard to the modalities for opening African airspace to countries across the continent, the minister noted, adding that the conference also provided an opportunity to underscore “Morocco’s strategic and central role as an African and regional leader in air transport, a position recognized by all countries.”
“This recognition strengthens our determination to work towards opening airspace between Morocco and Africa, particularly in the area of air cargo, for which the Kingdom is preparing with a 2037 horizon, following the planned expansion of Royal Air Maroc’s fleet from 70 aircraft currently to 200 aircraft of various sizes,” Kayouh said.
Organized from June 15 to 19 by the AFCAC, in partnership with the African Union, under the theme “One African Sky: Connectivity and Sustainable Development of Air Transport,” AFCAC Expo 2026 seeks to accelerate the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market.
The event brings together ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities, airlines, investors and experts, featuring bilateral meetings, exhibitions and plenary sessions.
These involve topics on the reduction of African air transport costs, the strengthening of African airlines for resilience, competitiveness, trade and connectivity, and the advancement of investment partnerships in the air transport industry and infrastructure in Africa.
