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Agadir – Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in civil aviation while advancing plans to expand its air connectivity, including the relaunch of direct flights between Kuwait and Casablanca.
Speaking at the opening of the 29th General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) in Rabat on Tuesday, Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh said closer cooperation among Arab countries has become increasingly important amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
“Regional cooperation remains an essential pillar for building a safe, efficient and sustainable air transport sector, capable of meeting the multiple challenges,” Kayouh said.
The minister warned that escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly across the Arab region, require coordinated responses to protect the resilience of civil aviation.
According to Kayouh, regional instability affects not only energy markets and the global economy but also the continuity of air transport operations and the security of airspace and airports.
He praised cooperation among Arab states in developing the aviation sector, pointing to Morocco’s active participation within ACAO institutions and its commitment to strengthening coordination across the region.
Kayouh also welcomed the solidarity of the Arab countries during recent international civil aviation events, saying unified positions help defend common interests and reinforce the international standing of Arab aviation.
The minister pointed to the country’s rapid aviation growth over the past two decades, noting that Morocco handled more than 36 million air passengers in 2025, compared to 6.5 million in 2006.
Morocco is connected to 169 airports across 62 countries through 453 air routes, according to the ministry.
Kayouh added that passenger traffic is expected to reach 80 million travelers by 2030, supported by the expansion of six airports and the construction of a new airport in Casablanca as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The minister also stressed the growing role of digital transformation in aviation, saying modern technologies improve operational efficiency, service quality, and passenger experience.
“Artificial intelligence is today one of the main drivers of the digital revolution and a promising technological lever for civil aviation,” he said.
For his part, ACAO Executive Council Chairman Abdulaziz Ben Abdullah Al-Duailej praised Morocco’s role in promoting joint Arab action in civil aviation and thanked the country for hosting the organization’s work and supporting coordination among member states.
Morocco, Kuwait discuss reopening direct air link
On the sidelines of the ACAO meeting, Kayouh met with Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in air navigation and aviation safety.
The talks focused on enhancing the safety and security of air navigation while exploring ways to deepen cooperation, particularly through stronger air connectivity between the two countries.
A key topic of discussion was the reopening of the direct Kuwait-Casablanca route.
The minister said Royal Air Maroc intends to relaunch the service “as soon as possible” after receiving its new generation of long-haul aircraft.
Kayouh said the reopening is justified by the growing number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting Morocco, the sizable Moroccan community living in Kuwait, and expanding economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
For his part, Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Sabah said the discussions also addressed increasing air traffic between Kuwait and Morocco ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Both countries are seeking to accommodate the expected rise in travel between Morocco and the Gulf region during the tournament.
