
ABL Corporation Names Stephen Orr as Senior Vice President for Africa Operations
Doha - As Morocco\u2019s aerospace sector reaches new heights, a seasoned industry leader is stepping in to navigate ABL Corporation\u2019s pan-African expansion from its Casablanca stronghold. The company announced on Thursday the appointment of Stephen Orr as Senior Vice President for Africa.<\><\>
Based<\><\> in Casablanca, Orr will spearhead the group\u2019s development across the African continent, with a particular focus on aviation, asset management, and strategic projects.<\><\>
Orr brings more than 40 years of aerospace industry experience to the role, having held executive positions at Bombardier Aerospace and Spirit AeroSystems.<\><\>
His <\> expertise<\><\> spans aerospace operations, supply chain management, and aircraft manufacturing.<\><\>
Throughout his career, Orr has etched a legacy of defining milestones, including the establishment of an advanced Aerostructures assembly facility in Morocco and the implementation of Bombardier\u2019s first unified Quality Management System.<\><\>\>\> \>\> \>\> \> \>\> \>\> \>\> \>\>
Click allow to get notifications on every article we post.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc's Summer 2025 Flight Program Offers 6.6 Million Seats
Rabat – Morocco's national carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), launched its summer 2025 flight program today, featuring a record offer of over 6.6 million seats. In a statement, RAM stressed that its summer program is aimed at supporting the massive return of Moroccans living abroad during the summer holidays. 'Royal Air Maroc is boosting its service and launching an unprecedented flight schedule,' the company said, noting that the number of seats deployed represents a record-breaking offer. The number represents a significant increase of 700,0000 seats compared to the 2024 summer flight program, the company added, noting that the airline will serve 95 destinations worldwide. Royal Air Maroc's goal, added the statement, is to meet the growing needs of a diverse clientele, including Moroccans, African diaspora, and international tourists. RAM's CEO Hamid Addou described the company's offer as 'exceptional, noting that the system the company put in place for this season is 'fully aligned with the airline's development strategy.' 'With an expanded offer, a modernized fleet, and operational innovations, we are reaffirming our commitment to our passengers and consolidating Morocco's position as a strategic air hub,' Addou said, noting that the efforts reflect the company's desire to offer ever-smoother and more enjoyable travel experiences.' For Addou, all teams are mobilized to ensure the success of the summer season, particularly for our citizens living abroad. The company's statement stressed its commitment to reinforce leadership in Africa, with two additional weekly flights to Nouakchott, bringing the total to nine weekly flights. Flights to Dakar will increase to two per day, or 14 flights per week. The four direct routes connecting Casablanca to Malaga, Valencia, Lisbon, and Porto will also be operated by medium-haul aircraft, including Boeing 737s and Embraer 190s. The company also announced that it will charter four aircraft from internationally renowned airlines, noting that those flights are next-generation models selected based on safety and comfort criteria. 'RAM reduced the number of charted aircraft thanks to the addition of eight new planes to its fleet,' the company stated, adding that the number includes Boeing 787-900 Dreamliners for long-haul flights and six Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft for medium-haul routes. The new summer system comes as Morocco launched earlier this month the Marhaba Operation, an annual campaign the country dedicates to facilitating the transit of Moroccans residing abroad during summer holidays. The company's pledges come as RAM has been under increasing scrutiny, following a series of troubling incidents, including expensive ticket prices, as well as frequent luggage handling disruption that causes significant delays and disruptions for travelers. Tags: Morocco summer timeRoyal Air Maroc


Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Royal Air Maroc's CEO on competing beyond low-cost carriers and expanding globally
In a recent interview with CNN, the CEO of Morocco's national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) highlighted the airline's strategic shift to differentiate itself from low-cost carriers and Gulf-based competitors. «We have over 40 competitors in our country, so we had to create a new model and a new market», Abdelhamid Addou said, noting that RAM's strength lies in its south-north connections between Africa and Europe. Asked about competing with giants like Ryanair and EasyJet, he said: «First, we are developing a different market, which is the African market, rather than just the point-to-point». «When you put a first step in an airline like ours, you feel the atmosphere of the country, the culture… so you have a different experience», he explained, insisting that RAM offers a «completely different» product compared to low-cost airline companies. Insightful interview of the CEO of @RAM_Maroc on @CNN, outlining the airline's bold ambitions. With growing demand for air connectivity, RAM is expanding across the South–North and South–West axes, especially in the #US and the #Americas offering passengers a unique flying… — Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) June 14, 2025 On the long-haul front, the CEO pointed to growth toward the Americas: «North America, southern America. That's where we can have a real added value, bringing diasporas together… This is our added value. We are in the centre geographically, and we can capitalise on these diasporas to transport them». He also confirmed plans to retrofit the airline's Boeing 737s with flat beds: «That will help us keep the same experience between the long haul and the short haul». Addressing global supply chain delays, he admitted: «When you have 15 to 18 months late deliveries, then you get frustrated, but we are all facing the same issue». He remained optimistic: «We just received three MAXs (Boeing 737 MAX) this week. We should receive seven other MAXs by the end of December… We want to trust our partners». For the record, RAM is reportedly preparing to place its largest aircraft order ever, purchasing around two dozen Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes and as many as 50 Boeing 737s for short-haul operations. It is also in talks to acquire about 20 Airbus A220s for regional travel.


Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Morocco-Spain Tunnel: Bridging Continents for Euro-African Integration
A tunnel between worlds In the bustling port of Tangier, ferries cross back and forth, carrying families, tourists, and goods between Morocco and Spain. This route has long been crucial to connecting Africa and Europe. Today, with the proposed building of the Strait of Gibraltar tunnel, a new chapter in this cross-continental relationship is forming. The Strait of Gibraltar tunnel link between Morocco and Spain has once again captured international attention, thanks to recent developments in the two countries. On May 10, Spain allocated €1.6 million to conduct updated feasibility studies for an underwater rail tunnel that would link Punta Paloma in Cadiz to Punta Malabata near Tangier. The project, formally revived in 2023, following a period of uncertainty and disruption since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been under discussion since the 1980s. A recent joint statement issued by Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente and Moroccan authorities emphasizes the geostrategic importance of this crossing, which is seen to be more than just a physical connection: a bridge between continents, cultures, and economies. Despite its promise, the Morocco-Spain tunnel initiative faces daunting technical challenges. The 42-kilometer rail tunnel would extend as low as 475 meters beneath the sea and have to pass through a seismically sensitive region near the Azores-Gibraltar fault line. Symbolism and soft power To Morocco, the tunnel is more than simple infrastructure. It is a demonstration of soft power and continental leadership. With the only African country to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, (co-hosting alongside Spain and Portugal), Morocco is already making news. While early expectations had hoped to see the tunnel finished in time for the tournament, revised projections now place completion closer to 2040. Still, the political and cultural momentum remains significant. In April, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called for a strengthening of EU-Morocco ties, stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation amid rising global uncertainty. Morocco is not just a neighbor, but a strategic partner for Europe. The Morocco-Spain tunnel project could become a literal and symbolic way to make these ambitions a reality. The cross-cultural initiative Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), was referenced by Spain's Ministry of Home Affairs as an example of 'good coordination between neighboring countries and of the great preparatory work of our technical teams,' demonstrating how joint infrastructure efforts can be an example of broader diplomatic harmony. OPE is a 'permanent [form of] communication between our respective teams.' Local impact and ferry trade Economically, the tunnel would transform regional logistics. Analysts at CAPMAD observe that the tunnel is part of wider EU-African trade ambitions, particularly the European Green Deal and supply chain expansion into North and West Africa. Morocco, already a key trade partner with Spain and the EU, could further consolidate its role as an African entrance point for goods and labour. This is especially critical considering shipping disruptions and global instability that are pushing European countries to diversify supply routes and expand regional partnerships. The economic stakes are high. Spanish transport officials state that the tunnel will bring a 'quantitative and qualitative acceleration of the [Moroccan] economy' by opening up the movement of goods, services, and people. In May 2025, the launch of new high-speed ferry services between Tarifa and Tangier by Balearia once again highlights this point. As one Balearia spokesperson explained to Morocco World News, 'it's a very important route for our customers, for Moroccans, and for all tourists visiting Morocco, particularly the city of Tangier.' This only adds to the commercial viability of investment in permanent infrastructure, with the Strait of Gibraltar tunnel initiative demonstrating the growing demand for safe and efficient crossings. If ferry traffic is any indicator, demand for connectivity is high. The Gibraltar tunnel would not replace ferries but supplement them, offering a permanent, weather-resistant alternative. A tunnel of dreams and doubts Beyond the geopolitics and financial considerations lies a human story. For thousands of Moroccan families with relatives in Spain, and for students, workers, and tourists traveling between continents, the Strait of Gibraltar tunnel represents something tangible: ease of movement, integration and opportunity. Whether or not this vision is achieved depends not only on engineering calculations, but on sustained political will and inter-regional cooperation. However, not all are as optimistic. There is concern with the environmental implications of drilling through the sensitive seabed of the Strait of Gibraltar, especially in an area so crucial to marine biodiversity and the connecting point between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean . Meanwhile, the Morocco-Spain tunnel has often faced criticism as skeptics point to the decades-long history of missed deadlines and political detours. Although preliminary discussions began in the early 2000s, physical progress has been lacking, with each administration restarting efforts without any concrete goalposts. Technically, the tunnel would surpass even the Eurotunnel (connecting the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and The Netherlands) and Norway's Ryfast in complexity. The seismic hazards in the region make it unlike any existing underwater rail connection, as evaluated in regional infrastructure assessments. A future in the making In many ways, the Morocco-Spain tunnel is more than just an engineering feat; it represents the future of EU-African relations. It challenges the countries involved to contemplate something greater than borders and short-term gains. The tunnel is not simply steel and concrete, but the idea of greater continental solidarity. As plans move forward and studies develop, the question remains: Will the Gibraltar tunnel unite communities and close old gaps, or expose new ones? If completed, the project could stand as one of the 21st century's most powerful symbols of Euro-African unity. For now though, it remains merely a vision. Even if the train takes years to arrive, the journey it promises has already begun. Tags: economyMorocco spainunderwater tunnel