Safran to Open New Aircraft Engine Assembly Line for Airbus in Morocco
The French aerospace group Safran announced the signing of agreements with the Government of Morocco to establish a new assembly line for engines destined for Airbus aircraft, along with a maintenance and repair plant near Casablanca.
A Strategic Bet on North Africa
The project represents a key step in Safran’s international expansion, as it seeks to strengthen its industrial network outside Europe. This decision is part of the Moroccan kingdom’s push to attract investments from the aeronautical sector, following the successful model achieved in the automotive industry. Morocco has actively worked to create production and knowledge hubs that shorten supply chains and promote technology transfer.
Investment of 120 Million Euros
During the signing ceremony, presided over by King Mohammed VI, Safran’s Chairman, Ross McInnes, confirmed that the company will allocate 120 million euros to the construction of the new assembly line.
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This facility will be responsible for 25% of the company’s total LEAP-1A engine production—equivalent to approximately 350 engines per year—and is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
“It will be Safran’s only assembly line outside France,” McInnes emphasized, highlighting the strategic importance of the investment for the group’s global expansion.
LEAP Engines: The Heart of the Competition
Safran produces the LEAP engines together with GE Aerospace through the joint venture CFM International, a partnership that dominates a large share of the global commercial aircraft propulsion market.
The LEAP-1A competes directly with Pratt & Whitney engines on the Airbus A320neo models, while the LEAP-1B is the sole engine used on the Boeing 737 MAX.
For its part, the LEAP-1C variant powers the COMAC C919, the new Chinese commercial aircraft aiming to position itself in the single-aisle segment.
With this new project, Safran strengthens its presence in a growing market, while Morocco takes another step towards its goal of becoming an international aerospace hub.
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