Moroccan-made parts are used in Airbus commercial aircraft, from the A220 to the A350. But which components are actually manufactured in the country, and where are they fitted on the aircraft? As the Marrakech Air Show 2026 takes place, an infographic from the European manufacturer provides a closer look at Morocco’s contribution to its aircraft production programmes.
Manufacturing an Airbus aircraft involves numerous industrial facilities and suppliers spread across several countries. Morocco has been part of this production network for years, manufacturing a wide range of aircraft components. In an infographic entitled Airbus Parts Made in Morocco, the European manufacturer identifies parts produced in the country and shows where they are fitted on two of its aircraft families, the A220 and A320.
The document shows that Moroccan manufacturing covers several areas of these aircraft. Some components form part of their structure, while others are used for exterior coverings or cabin interiors. Airbus also confirms that Moroccan-made parts are fitted to the A330 and A350.
Which Airbus A220 parts are manufactured in Morocco?
Airbus identifies four groups of components manufactured in Morocco for the A220. Among them is the keel beam, a structural element located in the lower fuselage. It contributes to the aircraft’s structural strength by carrying some of the mechanical loads to which the airframe is subjected.
Morocco also manufactures components for the wing’s fixed leading edge. Located at the front of the wing, this section helps define the aircraft’s aerodynamic profile.
Two other components relate to the cockpit and its equipment. The first, referred to by Airbus as the canopy, forms part of the upper cockpit structure. The second is an avionics access door, which provides access to certain electronic systems on the aircraft, particularly during maintenance operations.
These four groups of components perform different functions. Their inclusion in the same aircraft programme shows that manufacturing in Morocco encompasses structural elements, exterior panels and access components for technical equipment.
Airbus A320: from fuselage components to cabin equipment
For the A320 family, the infographic presents a broader range of parts manufactured in Morocco. Several panels form part of the fuselage, particularly its forward sections. Airbus also identifies curved lower panels that contribute to the aircraft’s outer structure.
Other components include cockpit fairings and landing gear doors. The latter close the landing gear bays once the gear has been retracted, helping preserve the aircraft’s aerodynamic profile during flight.
Moroccan production for the A320 also extends to the passenger cabin. Airbus includes business-class and first-class seats among the products associated with manufacturing in Morocco.
The components shown involve different manufacturing disciplines. Some require precisely dimensioned structures and panels, while others rely on production and assembly techniques designed to meet aerospace industry requirements.
In Morocco, Airbus Atlantic operates in areas including aerostructures and composite materials. The company manufactures and assembles aircraft subassemblies within an industrial network that brings together its own facilities and partner companies.
What role does Morocco play in Airbus production?
According to its infographic, Airbus has a network of 100 local suppliers and supports more than 1,200 direct jobs in Morocco. The manufacturer also reports that its activities generate over 10,000 jobs in the country.
Airbus’s industrial presence in Morocco was discussed on 7 October at the Marrakech Air Show 2026 by Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus for Africa and the Middle East. Speaking at a panel discussion on global value chains and industrial sovereignty, he highlighted the role of Moroccan-made components in the manufacturer’s aircraft programmes. He referred in particular to an A350 whose first flight he had attended in Toulouse the previous week, noting that the aircraft incorporated parts manufactured in Morocco.
The opening day of the show also saw the signing of a consortium agreement for the Africa Center of Manufacturing Excellence (ACME), an advanced manufacturing research centre led by Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). Airbus is among the partners in the initiative, alongside Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Safran Nacelles and several Moroccan institutions.
Based in Nouaceur, ACME aims to support research and industrial applications in fields such as advanced materials, composites, machining and automation.
