Concerns Over Airspace Management in the Sahara

The Spanish Popular Party has raised significant concerns regarding the potential transfer of airspace management in the Sahara to Morocco. This move, they argue, could negatively impact the safety of the Canary Islands, disrupt their air connectivity, and threaten Spain's strategic interests in the region. The parliamentary group of the Popular Party, particularly in the Canary Islands, is gearing up to present a formal initiative in the upcoming plenary session. This initiative will urge the government led by Pedro Sánchez to ensure that international civil aviation standards are upheld while keeping the Sahara's airspace administration under Spanish control, specifically through Enaire and the Canary Islands' air traffic control center.

Call for Transparency and Inclusion

David Morales, a deputy from Gran Canaria, is leading the initiative, aiming to promote transparency regarding any negotiations between Madrid and Rabat. The party is demanding that the central government continuously and promptly inform both the Canary Islands government and Parliament about discussions with Morocco, asserting that any potential changes should be subjected to debate and approval by the regional Parliament, as well as the consent of relevant international bodies. Morales emphasizes that the Canary Islands must not be sidelined in negotiations that could directly impact the archipelago's security, air links, military strategic interests, and the humanitarian role played by the armed forces and Civil Guard in managing migration flows across the Atlantic. He calls on the Spanish government to clarify the ongoing negotiations with Morocco and to outline the security guarantees that would be provided to the Canary Islands in the event of an airspace management transfer.

These concerns are closely linked to the evolving stance of Sánchez's government regarding Western Sahara, particularly following an agreement made in April 2022 with Morocco to open discussions on airspace management as part of a working group focused on aviation cooperation. Morales argues that the representation of the Canary Islands in these consultations has not been adequately considered.

As reported by yabiladi.com.