At the Marrakech Air Show 2024, Safran Aircraft Engines announced the signing of several agreements with Moroccan partners in preparation for the construction of its new LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility. Scheduled to begin operations in 2026, the new shop will be located near Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, as revealed on October 28, during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Rabat.
The first agreement is a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS) aimed at training engine mechanics and technicians. This initiative will support both Safran Aircraft Engines' existing MRO subsidiary, SAESM, and its future dedicated LEAP MRO facility. The MoU outlines the development and delivery of training programmes for 60 to 100 individuals annually, starting in early 2025. Trainees will benefit from both existing infrastructure and new, purpose-built facilities provided by Morocco's leading training organisations, ensuring they acquire the skills necessary for Safran's LEAP MRO operations.
Two additional agreements relate to the new MRO facility at the Midparc aerospace hub, a free trade zone in the Casablanca airport area. The first agreement involves the purchase of a six-hectare (approximately 15-acre) plot of land through MedZ, a subsidiary of Morocco's state-owned financial institution Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, which focuses on developing business parks. The second agreement is a service contract with Midparc regarding the real estate project for the new MRO facility.
Following the signing of these agreements at the Marrakech Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Jean-Paul Alary stated, “We're now in an optimal position to begin construction of our new MRO shop at the start of 2025 and launch operations around one year later. I'm delighted that we'll be working with these foremost partners. They will ensure we benefit from the highest standards of training, infrastructure, and low-carbon performance.”
Once operational, the new MRO facility will create over 600 jobs and possess the capacity to handle 150 engines per year, addressing the rapidly growing demand for LEAP engine servicing, particularly from airlines in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
