Airspace control over the Sahara region that was supposed to be operated from the Moroccan territories instead of the Spanish ones was halted due to electoral issues in Spain, according to Spanish paper “Confidencial Digital”.
Since the withdrawal of the Spanish protectorate from the Sahara in February 1976, and according to the UN International Civil Aviation Organization, the Saharan airspace is governed from the Canary Islands, de facto ruled by Spain.
Elections results might influence the future of ties between the two neighboring Kingdoms, mainly diplomatic and political ones.
The same source added that the Moncloa Palace had conveyed this decision to the Moroccan Royal Palace and to King Mohammed VI.
The Spanish government had previously confirmed, late March, that it is negotiating with Morocco the management of the airspace over the Moroccan Sahara, in accordance with the joint statement signed in April 2022, when King Mohammed VI received Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.