Civil Aviation: Morocco Showcases Progress at ICAO Assembly in Montreal
Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, highlighted on Saturday in Montreal the Kingdom’s significant progress in developing and strengthening civil aviation, as well as its efforts to consolidate its role as a global air hub.
Speaking on behalf of Morocco at the 42nd session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, Mr. Kayouh stressed that under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco places strong emphasis on civil aviation. The Kingdom’s policy focuses on market liberalization, encouraging investment, and boosting competitiveness.
This approach has led to the signing of more than 100 air transport agreements to date, including the “Open Skies” agreement with the United States in 2001 and with the European Union in 2006, he recalled. Morocco has also joined the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), reaffirming its commitment to regional integration and to enhancing connectivity among African countries.
The minister noted that this strategy has reinforced Morocco’s position as a premier tourist destination, welcoming 17.4 million visitors in 2024, making it Africa’s leading destination. He added that international passenger traffic grew significantly in the first seven months of 2025, surpassing 18 million travelers, thanks to a network of 435 international routes connecting Morocco to 159 airports across 59 countries.
On the domestic front, Mr. Kayouh emphasized that Morocco has strengthened air connectivity between its regions, which has boosted the domestic aviation market and improved service offerings.
Safety remains at the heart of Morocco’s priorities, he underlined, noting that the Kingdom achieved a compliance rate of 87% during ICAO’s coordinated validation mission in 2024. Civil aviation security has also been reinforced through the modernization of inspection systems and the development of cybersecurity. He recalled the International Forum on Aviation Security, “Safer Skies,” hosted in Marrakech last April with the participation of the ICAO Council President and leading global experts.
The minister also highlighted Morocco’s major strategic projects aimed at bolstering its international positioning, including the 2023–2026 tourism roadmap and the hosting of major international events such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
In this context, Morocco continues to invest heavily in aviation infrastructure. Several airports are undergoing large-scale modernization and expansion projects under the “Airports 2030” strategy, which aims to increase passenger capacity from nearly 40 million today to 80 million by 2030.
Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the Kingdom’s flagship carrier, is also pursuing an ambitious growth plan, targeting a fleet of 200 aircraft by 2037, while upholding the highest safety and sustainability standards, the minister added.
Morocco’s participation in the ICAO Assembly, running until October 3, reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development and civil aviation safety, as well as its determination to contribute to strengthening international cooperation in this strategic sector.
The ICAO Assembly, convened at least once every three years by the organization’s Council, brings together its 193 member states along with numerous international organizations. It sets ICAO’s global aviation policy for the next three years.
Editorial team/le7tv
