Airbus Helicopters today announced the opening of a new subsidiary in Morocco, marking a significant strengthening of its presence in the Kingdom. This strategic decision is part of an ambitious plan to create a regional center for West Africaa press release states.
The new subsidiary will be mainly dedicated to customer support. It will provide support for the 60 Airbus helicopters currently in service with the Moroccan Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Gendarmerie. It will gradually evolve into a complete service center for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the aircraft.
This implantation is accompanied by the creation of a training center equipped with flight simulators. This center will be designed to welcome pilots from all over the world, thus strengthening Morocco’s positioning as a regional aeronautical hub.
Mickael Bertrandfuture CEO of Airbus Helicopters in Morocco, stressed the strategic importance of this location: “Morocco is a natural choice given our long-standing partnership with the Moroccan armed forces. The range of helicopters operated in the country, from the heavy twin-engine H225 to the recent H135, offers great potential to expand our presence and create numerous employment opportunities.”
This expansion follows a major order from the Royal Moroccan Air Force in 2022. The Royal Moroccan Air Force ordered a fleet of H135 helicopters for primary military training. This contract also included an extensive support program, including the training of instructor pilots and maintenance pilots.
Airbus has been present in Morocco since 1951 through Maroc Aviation, which evolved into Airbus Atlantic Composites, specializing in composite manufacturing and the assembly of complex metal subassemblies. In 2014, the company expanded its activities with the creation of a new 15,000 m² plant in the Midparc area under the name Airbus Atlantic. Airbus employs 1,000 people in its two Moroccan plants.
This new establishment of Airbus Helicopters is in line with the European aeronautical group’s commitment to Morocco. It demonstrates the confidence placed in the country’s know-how and potential in the aeronautical sector.
The opening of this subsidiary represents an important step in the development of Airbus Helicopters in Africa. It should contribute significantly to the growth of the Moroccan aeronautics industry.
