Morocco could strengthen its position in the global aircraft supply chain as Airbus prepares to announce a new manufacturing facility, adding to an investment wave that could lift the country’s annual aerospace exports to $5 billion by 2029.

The planned plant would cover design, manufacturing and assembly, according to Mickaël Bertrand, Airbus’ representative in Morocco. Local media reported his comments on Oct. 10, with an official announcement expected in the coming months. The project would expand Airbus’ industrial footprint in a country attracting investment across several aerospace production segments.

For Morocco, the opportunity extends beyond hosting factories. A broader manufacturing base could help the country capture more value from international aircraft programmes, deepen its industrial capabilities and increase export earnings as global aerospace companies expand their supply chains.

Airbus builds on its Casablanca operations

The planned investment follows Airbus’ completion in December 2025 of its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems’ Casablanca plant, which produces structural components for the A220 and A321 aircraft.

Integrating the facility into Airbus’ manufacturing operations helped secure supplies for its commercial aircraft programmes. The proposed new plant would represent another potential expansion of the company’s activities in Morocco, although details of its investment value, location and production capacity have yet to be disclosed.

Aerospace suppliers commit new investment

Airbus’ plans come as international suppliers expand their Moroccan operations, spanning aircraft components, avionics and specialised industrial systems. On Oct. 8, China’s Hangyu Technology selected Morocco for a plant initially planned for Slovakia.

The company, which makes high-precision forged components for aircraft engines and gas turbines, plans to invest up to €105 million($117.47 million) at Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City. French group Safran Electronics & Defense began a 350 million dirham ($36 million) expansion of its Nouaceur plant on June 24.

The project includes a 17,000-square-metre building housing 15 new production lines. The facility manufactures avionics computers, actuators and measurement systems for international aerospace companies.

Sweden’s Trelleborg also opened a Nouaceur plant on June 9 after investing approximately 130 million dirhams($13.3 million) in aerospace sealing systems.

Together, the projects illustrate the range of manufacturing activities developing in Morocco, from precision metal components to electronic equipment and specialised aircraft systems.

They do not establish that Airbus is responding directly to rival investments, but they highlight the country’s growing appeal to aerospace manufacturers.

Morocco targets $5 billion in aerospace exports

Morocco’s growing aerospace investment pipeline is strengthening expectations for export growth. Mohammed Bellatig, president of the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS), projects that annual aerospace exports could reach $5 billion by 2029, up from approximately $3 billion in 2025.

Bellatig made the forecast during the Marrakech Air Show, held from Oct. 7 to 10, citing the expansion of Morocco’s aerospace manufacturing sector.

If achieved, the target would represent an increase of roughly 67% over 2025 export levels. Airbus’ proposed facility, alongside investments by international suppliers, could help Morocco expand its role in the global aviation industry, although the new plant’s contribution to future exports remains unclear.