How would you describe the business aviation market in North Africa?
The business aviation market in MENA is a growth market – business aviation flights to Africa were trending up by 8% in September 2018, according to WingX Business Aviation Monitor. Due to its strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of Africa, Morocco is seeing an increasing amount of movements and a new business aviation airport, Tit Mellil in Casablanca, to be operational by 2025. These indicators all point to a good year for business aviation in 2019, reinforced by the interest we are seeing from key industry players in the MEBAA Show Morocco and the MEBAA Conference Morocco. The market will be discussed in detail at the conference by representatives of both industry and government organisations offering first hand insight into the industry.
What do you consider the biggest challenges facing business aviation in this region?
For example, anyone wishing to enter the market, own and register an aircraft or set up an FBO must go through a tender process. MEBAA is working to address this very closely with the government to ease blockages and create acceptable criteria for growth in business aviation.
As with many markets, when the main focus is on commercial aviation, most regulations are designed with this in mind. MEBAA is working to ensure that business aviation is recognised as an important part of the aviation industry as a whole. We communicate with our members to discover what issues they would like to see resolved. An example of this would be illegal flights, where we have had some success in bringing it to the authorities’ attention in the region and are beginning to make inroads into it.
Another challenge is that airport infrastructure is also designed with commercial aviation in mind, and access to airports for business aviation still has room for improvement. Although this is already beginning to be addressed as evidenced by the Tit Mellil project, there is still a way to go to create an infrastructure that can optimally work with business aviation.
Business aviation has also historically been prohibitively costly due to its association with larger jets only – using a widebody for a short flight can dramatically increase the costs. Smaller, lighter aircraft are more appropriate for some types of flights and can dramatically lower costs while achieving the same benfits. The MEBAA Show Morocco seeks to represent the whole industry including demonstrating all kinds of business jets in the static display.
One of MEBAA’s objectives is to work with governments and other key regulatory bodies in order to present the challenges faced by business aviation and work together towards solutions for the difficulties faced by operators and companies as a result of governmental rules and regulations. Events like the MEBAA Show Morocco and the MEBAA Conference Morocco are a fundamental part of this, providing a platform for discussion and the means for the industry to work.
Why did you choose Morocco as the location for the MEBAA Show in North Africa?
The MEBAA Show Morocco was launched in 2015 in response to the market need for a business aviation show in the region. The business aviation opportunities in Morocco are outstanding, the industry is burgeoning with around 50% of the region’s business aviation activity based there. Major players are investing heavily in the region and the government is strongly committed to supporting infrastructure growth. In fact, the Moroccan Government has identified business aviation as a key pillar of economic growth and recognise it as a driver towards achieving Morocco’s goal to be the centre of the African economy. This Governmental support for business aviation is a key factor in the location of the show and will also provide opportunities for the whole industry. Now is the ideal time to explore the opportunities offered by the region and the MEBAA Show Morocco provides the ideal platform to do so.
What advice would you give exhibitors attending the MEBAA Show Morocco?
Firstly – welcome! As the only dedicated business aviation show in North Africa, the MEBAA Show Morocco provides valuable access to this burgeoning industry. Being part of the show gives you the opportunity to network and build relationships with the industry not only locally but also internationally – visitors to the event have historically seen a large percentage travel from abroad to attend. My advice would be to do what you do best and take advantage of the audience to ensure your message gets seen by all the right people. Receive visitors, interact with attendees, invite your network and of course engage with the Association to ensure you get the best return on your investment.
What advice would you give visitors to the MEBAA Show Morocco?
Again, welcome – and make the most of the opportunities available for networking, learning about product and service offerings and seeing the latest of what’s available for business aviation. The MEBAA Show Morocco gives you unparalleled access to the region’s business aviation industry, in a focused environment. Two days at the show can be more useful than a whole week at a general aviation event due to the focused nature of the exhibitors and visitors. See who will be there in the exhibitor list ahead of time, arrange to meet with your local peers by inviting them to join you, plan your schedule and meetings before you go and take advantage of the opportunities available to grow your business. The show also provides a fantastic way for those already working in business aviation or those looking to move into the industry to find out more about the employment opportunities available in this growing industry. So for anyone looking for their next opportunity in business aviation – from pilots and engineers to new graduates looking to enter the industry, I would advise they take advantage of the show bringing the industry to Morocco to find out more.
Are the foreign direct investment regulations adopted by the Moroccan government in recent years having an impact on business aviation growth in the region?
Morocco’s 2020 aerospace goals include bringing in 100 new investors, creating 23,000 new jobs and generating $1.6 billion in new revenue. According to the Moroccan Agency of Investment and Development (AMDI), the number of companies active in the aeronautics industry increased from 10 to more than 100 in the ten years from 2001 to 2011, while total employees increased from only 300 to more than 10,000 with a total sales of over $1 billion. GIMAS predict the number of total employees to reach 35000 by 2020.
Bombardier built an aerospace-manufacturing facility in Morocco in 2014 and produces wing components, slats, ailerons, winglets, flaps, fuselage parts, fuselages, nose extensions, doors, floors, nacelles, and subassemblies for various programs of regional aircraft and business jets. This is just one example of how foreign direct investment in Morocco is driving the whole aerospace sector forward, and with it business aviation.