Safran Aircraft Engines signed multiple agreements with Moroccan partners at the Marrakech Air Show 2024 to prepare for the launch of a new LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
According to a statement from the company, the new shop will be located near Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, with construction starting in early 2025, as announced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Rabat.
One of the agreements is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS) to support the training of 60 to 100 engine mechanics and technicians annually, beginning in early 2025, said the statement, adding that this initiative, designed to meet the needs of Safran’s current and future MRO facilities, will provide training through existing and purpose-built Moroccan infrastructure.
Safran also signed agreements involving the purchase of a 6-hectare plot in Casablanca’s Midparc aerospace hub, along with a service contract with Midparc to support the development of the new MRO shop. This expansion reinforces Safran’s investment in Morocco’s aerospace sector, where the company has been active for 25 years and currently employs nearly 4,700 people.
Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Jean-Paul Alary highlighted the partnerships' importance, noting they secure “the highest standards of training, infrastructure, and low-carbon performance” for the upcoming MRO facility, which will eventually employ over 600 people and handle 150 engines annually. This capacity will cater to growing LEAP engine demands from African, Middle Eastern, and European airlines.
The new MRO facility expands Safran’s footprint in Morocco, building on the success of its joint venture with Royal Air Maroc in maintaining CFM56 engines. Safran continues to lead the Moroccan aerospace industry, enhancing local partnerships and supporting the country’s industrial and skills development in the high-tech aviation sector.
