Spain has asserted that Morocco cannot unilaterally assume control of the airspace over Western Sahara, as it remains under Spanish management from the Canary Islands per international agreements dating back to 1976.
Governed by the ICAO, this arrangement ensures safe navigation for key routes linking Europe, Africa, and America, generating vital aviation fees. The unresolved territorial status of Western Sahara complicates any transfer, impacting regional aviation security and potentially Canary Islands’ tourism connectivity.
