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Rabat – Morocco has reportedly expanded its control to approximately 20% of Western Sahara’s airspace.
Spanish outlet El Independiente reported on Wednesday that Morocco expanded its control over the airspace managed from the Canaries.
However, the news outlet claimed Morocco took the decision “unilaterally, quoting “reliable sources” who said that between 15% and 20% of the airspace is effectively controlled by Morocco.
The control report covers establishing air exclusion zones for military exercises, modifying maps recognizing Spanish managements of the airspace, and limiting communication with local airports.
Spain and Morocco have been holding secret meetings throughout this year, focusing on the management of the airspace.
The discussions are part of a broader negotiation that has spanned decades, aiming to transfer control of the region’s airspace to Morocco.
Reports indicate that a technical commission was established to tackle the specifics of technical cooperation and security.
Spanish news outlets previously quoted sources from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the commission held two meetings.
Negotiations gained momentum after Spain and Morocco launched a roadmap in April 2022 to resolve a year-long crisis sparked by Polisario leader Brahim Gahli’s hospitalization in Spain.
Read also: Spain, Morocco Reportedly Hold Secret Meetings on Western Sahara Airspace
The roadmap includes a “discussion on the management of airspace.”
Morocco has been committed to its commitment to bilateral cooperation, especially with Spain, which contrasts with the report by El Indepiendente suggesting Rabat’s unilateral control.
On many occasions, Morocco stresses ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
Morocco’s territorial integrity encompasses the southern provinces, which Spain acknowledges by endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most credible and serious political solution to the dispute.
The airspace that has been under Spanish control has been the topic of discussion between the two countries.
Morocco’s airport authority ONDA has been in charge of coordinating movements with its European counterpart ENAIRE although the control of the airspace has been in the hands of Spain.
This means that ONDA’s center in Casablanca has been giving initial authorization to flights entering and leaving the airport in southern Morocco, including Laayoune, Dakhla, and Es-Smara.
