The 7th Marrakech Air Show (MAS 2024), one of Africa’s most prestigious aerospace events, kicked off on Wednesday at the Royal Air Forces Base in Marrakech and will run until November 2.
Jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defense Administration, and the subsidiary of the Deposit and Management Fund MEDZ, the air show welcomed the United Arab Emirates as the guest of honor.
Bringing together key players in aerospace, the show showcases the latest innovations while offering a platform for professionals seeking business opportunities.
Spanning over a 12,500-square-meter area, 200 exhibitors participated in the show. Among the exhibitors are Airbus, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), Embraer, Emirates Defense Companies Council (EDCC), Heliconia, Lockheed Martin, and Tata Advanced Systems.
MAS 2024 is also a global hub for building partnerships, exploring new markets, and closing commercial deals. A robust Business-to-business meeting program has been designed to foster quality connections and facilitate partnerships within the aerospace ecosystem, making the show a true networking hub.
With the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics into production lines, the air show will highlight Industry 4.0 technologies and their applications in aerospace.
A special focus will be on local startups developing innovative solutions to tackle key industry challenges, underscoring Morocco’s promising aerospace future.
Currently, more than 147 companies operate in Morocco, creating over 20,000 jobs with a 40% integration rate—one of the highest in the world.
At the opening ceremony, Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of defense administration, Abdellatif Loudiyi stated that the “Marrakech Air Show” has become a key event and an exceptional platform contributing to the development of the aerospace industry.
He highlighted that the show “provides a strong boost to investment in aeronautics, addressing industry challenges such as diversifying investment opportunities, advancing industrial infrastructure, and enhancing professional skills.”
It also seeks to improve the business climate and raise the standards of civil and military aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, according to the minister.
Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch; Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour; Director General of the Deposit and Management Fund, Khalid Safir; CEO of Royal Air Maroc, Abdelhamid Addou; and other national and international prominent civil and military leaders attended the opening ceremony.