A Spanish parliamentarian, Aniceto Armas González, said that there is a potential backdoor deal to transfer the management of Sahrawi airspace to Morocco.
In a written question to the government, González, representing the GPPLU coalition, cited internal sources from the Spanish aviation sector indicating that the Ministry of Transport is seeking to delegate Air Traffic Services (ATS) related to Sahrawi airspace to Morocco.
The MP expressed deep concern over this alleged move, labeling it a “backdoor surrender” that undermines Spain’s sovereignty and international commitments.
González said that the transfer of ATS, which involves controlling air traffic within a specified airspace, is a significant step and is typically reserved for minor adjustments in airspace management, such as facilitating air traffic flow or coordinating control between neighboring countries.
“The transfer of ATS to foreign entities is usually limited to small areas and concerns only air traffic flow or the exchange of control to avoid changing routes,” González stated. “What Spain is attempting to do with Morocco is the opposite.”
Historically, Spain has managed the airspace over the Sahara from its Canary Islands, a responsibility recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Morocco has long sought to regain control over its airspace. Since Spain’s departure in 1975, the Sahara’s airspace has been overseen by Spain from the Canary Islands, under the watchful eye of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In recent years, Morocco has been in talks with Spain to transfer control of Sahrawi airspace to Moroccan authorities. These discussions, initiated in 2022, mark a significant shift in the management of the region’s airspace.
Spain’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for th Sahara, formalized in a bilateral agreement in April 2022, has provided momentum to these negotiations.
The talks aim to enhance coordination and safety in air traffic management, signaling Morocco’s growing influence in the region.
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