Kingdom of Morocco and EUROCONTROL sign Comprehensive Agreement

The Kingdom of Morocco and the European Organisation for Safety in Air Navigation - EUROCONTROL, have today signed a Comprehensive Agreement.

The Agreement was signed by Mr Zouhair Mohammed El Aoufir, Director General of ONDA (Office National Des Aéroports), and Mr Frank Brenner, Director General of EUROCONTROL at a ceremony in Marrakech on the occasion of the International Marrakech Airshow which is currently taking place from 27 to 30 April.

In his speech for this event, Mr El Aoufir noted “With the signature and entry in force of this agreement, it is not only that our country achieves a global first – in that EUROCONTROL has never before signed such an agreement with a country outside Europe – but it also recognises the performance of the Moroccan air traffic management services and is consolidating a mutually desired and beneficial partnership between ONDA and EUROCONTROL”.

“EUROCONTROL has been working closely with the Kingdom of Morocco for many years, and we are delighted that this excellent working relationship is now being strengthened through the signing of a Comprehensive Agreement,” said Frank Brenner, Director General of EUROCONTROL. “With over 850 flights a day moving between Europe and Morocco’s airspace, it is a logical step for us to increase our level of integration and cooperation for the benefit of the airlines and the travelling public.”

“The Agreement is a clear sign of Morocco moving closer to Europe and becoming part of the European Aviation System. It means that Morocco will participate from now on to the working structures of EUROCONTROL and that it will be able to benefit from all services that the Agency provides,” Frank Brenner added.

The Kingdom of Morocco has signed a European Civil Aviation Agreement with the EU, thereby opening the two air traffic markets for open and unlimited access. Therefore it is logical and obvious that bigger volumes of air traffic need to be catered for. For these technical provisions, common airspace design and common air traffic procedures are prerequisites. EUROCONTROL is about ensuring that an effective and efficient network is available.

According to the Comprehensive Agreement, the Kingdom of Morocco will be fully integrated into EUROCONTROL’s working structures and will be able to benefit from all services the Agency provides. The Comprehensive Agreement will bring significant operational advantages to the airlines and passengers including improved crisis management, more organised and harmonised management of the traffic flows between North Africa/the Canary Islands and the European continent, improved predictability in planning of daily operations, improved safety of operations and a wider network approach to all developments such as airspace design, infrastructure coordination and management.

The Agreement will enter into force on 1 May 2016.