MOROCCO is first of three leading African countries driving expansion in private,commercial, and military aviation,according to US Forbes magazine,reports the North Africa Post.
Africa's aviation industry is experiencing significant growth,with Morocco,Nigeria, and South Africa at the forefront of this upward trajectory, the study said.
Morocco's aviation sector has experienced growth with Airbus and expects a 3.6 per cent annual growth in demand for passengers from2023 to 2042.
Forbes ascribes this expansion to the country's advantageous location and investment-friendly environment, saying Morocco's investment-friendly climate and advantageous location close to both Europe and the rest of Africa make it an attractive setting for international aviation businesses, including aircraft manufacturing.
The Forbes piece cited Morocco's open sky policy, which encourages foreign investment and partnerships, creating opportunities for healthy growth in the aviation sector.
The aviation industry exported more than MAD20 billion (US$1.96 million) in 2022, nearly double the MAD15.4 billion recorded in 2021 and MAD12.6 billion in 2020, according to figures from the exchange office.
Domestic traffic had a recovery rate of about 83 per cent from 2019 levels and the 2023-2037 programme of the Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc is expected to bring in 17.5 million tourists, generate MAD120 billion in foreign exchange, create 80,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect jobs, and improve the tourism sector's capacity to attract funding and establish new businesses.
The rise of Morocco,Nigeria, and South Africa in the aviation industry reflects Africa's expanding economies,urbanisation, and a burgeoning middle class with increased spending power.