The Marrakech Air Show returns from 7 to 10 October 2026 at the Marrakech air base, for its eighth edition. This international aerospace, defence and space exhibition is the largest on the African continent, and it takes place right next to Marrakesh Menara airport. Whether you work in the industry, love aviation or are simply landing in Marrakesh that week, here is what you need to know: dates, access, programme, past figures and the practical consequences for your trip.
In short: the Marrakech Air Show 2026 in six points
- Dates: Wednesday 7 to Saturday 10 October 2026.
- Venue: the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakesh, which shares its runway with Marrakesh Menara airport.
- Format: static aircraft display, flying demonstrations and an indoor industrial exhibition, under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.
- Expected attendance: more than 15,000 visitors and around forty official delegations, according to announcements for this edition.
- General public: at the 2024 edition, the final day was open to everyone. Access conditions for 2026 had not yet been published at the time of writing.
- For travellers: a busy week in Marrakesh, so book early and check your flight status on display days.
The event is biennial: it has taken place every other year since it was created in 2008, originally under the name AeroExpo Marrakech. In 2024 it brought together 194 exhibitors, some fifty delegations and nearly 30,000 visitors. The 2026 edition is a further step in Morocco’s rise as a regional aerospace hub.
Marrakech Air Show 2026: dates, venue and organisers
The show is co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defence Administration, the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the Royal Gendarmerie. It is held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Here is its fact sheet.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | 8th |
| Dates | 7 to 10 October 2026 |
| Venue | Royal Moroccan Air Force base, Marrakesh (training base) |
| Frequency | Every two years, since 2008 |
| Former name | AeroExpo Marrakech |
| Patronage | High Patronage of King Mohammed VI |
| Expected visitors | More than 15,000 |
| Expected delegations | Around forty |
| Official website | marrakechairshow2026.com |
The timing is deliberate. In early October, Marrakesh is leaving the summer heat behind: days are still warm but bearable, which suits outdoor displays and long hours on the apron. It is also the start of the autumn tourist high season, which has a direct impact on accommodation, as explained below.
A trade show first and foremost
One point needs to be clear, because many visitors arrive with the wrong idea: the Marrakech Air Show is not primarily a public air display like the summer shows in Europe. It is a business exhibition for aerospace and defence, where contracts are negotiated, cooperation agreements are signed and industrial programmes are presented.
What you can see
The organisers describe a two-track format. On one side, a static display of military and civil aircraft on the apron, supported by flying demonstrations. On the other, an indoor industrial exhibition designed for business meetings and technology showcases. Conferences, thematic workshops and a space for innovative start-ups complete the picture.
Themes of the 2026 edition
- High-tech defence systems.
- Artificial intelligence applied to aerospace.
- Satellite technology and space.
- Civil and military aeronautics.
- Advanced air mobility, including sixth-generation aircraft concepts.
For a traveller, this means most of the show is aimed at badge-holding professionals. The detailed 2026 programme was listed as “coming soon” on the official website at the time of writing.
Can the public attend the Marrakech Air Show?
This is the most searched question, and the honest answer is: probably yes, but not every day, and the 2026 arrangements are still to be confirmed.
What we know for certain is what happened in 2024. At the seventh edition, the final day was open to the general public. Nearly 20,000 people attended and were able to see most of the opening-day exhibits, a static display of aircraft and military equipment, and an air show lasting around two hours.
For 2026, the official website offers a visitor pass booking button, but at the time of publication it did not yet state which days would be open to the public, the opening hours or any ticket price. If the 2024 pattern is repeated, the public day would be Saturday 10 October, but that remains an assumption until the organisers announce it.
Our advice: do not book a trip solely for the show before the official programme is released. If you are already in Marrakesh on those dates, keep an eye on the official website and the show’s Facebook page, where access information is usually shared first.
Looking back at 2024: the figures of a show that has grown
The previous edition shows the scale of the event. It took place from 30 October to 2 November 2024.
| Indicator | 2024 edition |
|---|---|
| Exhibitors | 194 |
| Delegations | 50 |
| Total visitors | Nearly 30,000 |
| Public day visitors | Nearly 20,000 |
| Length of the public air show | About 2 hours |
Exhibitors included Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Thales, Embraer, Safran, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, General Electric and Air France Industries. Several announcements were made there: a partnership with Boeing to create an advanced manufacturing centre, and initiatives by Embraer and Safran in maintenance and training. Military cooperation agreements were also signed with Azerbaijan and Czechia.
Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour set a clear target there: doubling the number of jobs in Morocco’s aerospace sector by 2030. That is the whole point of the show: to demonstrate that Morocco is no longer just a subcontracting location, but an industrial platform integrated into global value chains.
Marche Verte, the star of Moroccan skies
For the public, the most eagerly awaited moment is the pass of the Marche Verte aerobatic team, the display team of the Royal Moroccan Air Force. It regularly takes part in the show’s demonstrations, alongside foreign teams and aircraft. Its tight-formation figures above the palm groves, with the Atlas mountains as a backdrop, are among the most spectacular images of Moroccan aviation.
A photographer’s tip: demonstrations take place along the runway axis. At midday, the October light is harsh and the sun is high; the afternoon generally offers better conditions for shots of aircraft in flight. Bring a telephoto lens if you have one, as aircraft perform at a safe distance from the crowd.
What the show means for travellers at Marrakesh Menara
This is the angle nobody covers, yet it concerns tens of thousands of passengers. The show is not held in a distant exhibition park: it takes place on the air base next to the civil airport.
A civil airport on a military runway
Marrakesh Menara airport is owned by the Royal Moroccan Air Force and operated by Airports of Morocco, formerly the National Airports Office. Civil and military traffic share a single runway, numbered 10/28, 3,100 metres long and 45 metres wide. In other words, airliners and show aircraft use the same infrastructure.
And Marrakesh Menara is no small airport: this summer it passed 30,000 passengers in a single day for the first time, and easyJet has just opened its first African base there. We covered these new services in our article on new flight routes to Morocco.
Flying displays: what to plan for
During flying displays, the airspace concerned is reserved for set time slots, as at any air show. No restriction specific to the 2026 edition had been published at the time of writing, so we cannot announce any delay. Caution, however, is simple and costs nothing.
- Check your flight status on your airline’s website or app the day before and the morning of departure, especially between 7 and 10 October.
- Allow extra time if you have a tight connection in Casablanca or Europe.
- Get to the airport earlier: traffic around the airport area is heavier when delegations and show visitors are heading to the base.
Hotels and taxis: a busy week
Thousands of professionals, exhibitors and delegation members add to the early-autumn tourist crowd. Hotels near the airport and in Hivernage and Gueliz, popular with business travellers, are the first to fill up during this kind of event. If your dates are fixed, book your accommodation now and choose free cancellation.
Getting to the Marrakech Air Show from the airport and the medina
The air base adjoins the airport, south-west of the city. Marrakesh Menara airport is about 6 kilometres from Jemaa el-Fna square, a 15 to 20 minute drive depending on traffic. Exact access to the show area, car parks and any shuttles are communicated by the organisers to accredited visitors.
| From | How | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Jemaa el-Fna square | Petit taxi | 15 to 20 minutes; a daytime airport-medina fare is around 70 dirhams, more at night |
| Jemaa el-Fna square | Bus no. 19 | Links the centre and the airport, roughly every 30 minutes during the day |
| Gueliz or Hivernage | Petit taxi | Short ride; insist on the meter or agree the price before getting in |
| Arriving by plane | On foot or shuttle | As directed by the organisers for accredited visitors |
For the rest of your travel, our guide to getting around Marrakesh compares taxis, buses and horse-drawn carriages, and our page on Marrakesh Menara airport covers arrival and terminal services.
Our practical tips for show week
- Book accommodation now. Demand rises sharply during major exhibitions, and October is already a popular time to visit.
- Wait for the official programme before booking a trip solely for the public day.
- Carry photo ID: on a military base, access checks are strict and permitted items limited. Follow the organisers’ instructions.
- Protect yourself from the sun: cap, sunscreen and water, as aprons offer very little shade.
- Arrange your transfer in advance. Our comparison of airport transfers in Morocco helps you choose.
- Check your paperwork if you are coming from abroad: see the Morocco visa and entry requirements for your nationality.
- Save time on arrival: Marrakesh is one of the airports equipped with biometric e-gates for passport control.
Why the Marrakech Air Show matters for Morocco
Beyond the spectacle, the show is an economic showcase. Aerospace has become one of the Kingdom’s flagship industries, with a stated goal of doubling sector jobs by 2030. Each edition helps attract new investors, build partnerships and demonstrate the country’s ability to host major international events.
For travellers, this momentum has very concrete medium-term effects: more air routes, modernising airports and technical expertise developing locally. The show is therefore not an isolated event: it is part of the wider transformation of Moroccan air transport.
FAQ — Marrakech Air Show
When is the Marrakech Air Show 2026?
From Wednesday 7 to Saturday 10 October 2026, at the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakesh. It is the eighth edition of this biennial exhibition.
Is the Marrakech Air Show open to the public?
In 2024, the final day was open to the public and drew nearly 20,000 visitors. For 2026, public days and access arrangements had not yet been announced at the time of writing. Check the show’s official website.
Where is the Marrakech Air Show held?
At the military air base in Marrakesh, next to Marrakesh Menara airport, south-west of the city and about 6 kilometres from Jemaa el-Fna square.
How many visitors are expected in 2026?
More than 15,000 visitors and around forty official delegations are announced. In 2024 the show welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors in total, including about 20,000 on the public day.
Does the show disrupt flights in Marrakesh?
The civil airport and the base share the same runway, and flying displays take place in reserved time slots. No specific restriction had been published for 2026 at the time of writing. Check your flight status with your airline between 7 and 10 October.
Will the Marche Verte team perform?
The Royal Moroccan Air Force’s Marche Verte aerobatic team regularly takes part in the show’s demonstrations. The 2026 flying programme had not yet been published; the organisers will announce it.
Who organises the Marrakech Air Show?
The show is co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defence Administration, the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the Royal Gendarmerie, under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.
Should I book my hotel in advance?
Yes. The show draws thousands of professionals just as the autumn tourist season begins. Book early, ideally with free cancellation, especially in the areas near the airport, Hivernage and Gueliz.
In summary
The Marrakech Air Show 2026 runs from 7 to 10 October on the air base next to Marrakesh Menara airport. It is first and foremost a professional aerospace, defence and space exhibition, with a static display, flying demonstrations and a large industrial area. In 2024 the final day was open to the public and drew nearly 20,000 people; the 2026 conditions are still to be published. If you are passing through Marrakesh that week, book your accommodation early, allow a margin before your flights and keep an eye on the official website for public access. Enjoy the show and have a good trip!
Official sources
- Marrakech Air Show 2026 official website: dates, venue, organisers, pass booking.
- Ministry of Industry and Trade: co-organiser, edition reports.
- Official 2024 results: exhibitors, delegations and attendance.
- Airports of Morocco: operator of Marrakesh Menara airport.
- Marrakesh Menara Airport on Wikipedia: runway and shared civil-military use.
- Moroccan National Tourist Office: planning your stay in Marrakesh.
Informational article, up to date at the time of publication. The programme, public days and access arrangements are set by the organisers and may change; only the official website is authoritative.
Photo credit
Images: featured image « 2016 Marrakech Airshow » — TSgt Brian Kimball, DoD News (public domain); « Marche Verte – 2016 Marrakech Airshow » — TSgt Brian Kimball, DoD News (public domain); « 2016 International Marrakech Air Show » — United States government (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
