EU Parliament Approves Updated Air Deal with Morocco Without Western Sahara

Despite the EU’s clear stance on not extending its air deal to Western Sahara, several European airlines continue to operate flights to the disputed territory.

The updated agreement was adopted by the EU parliament on July 8, 2026, with 625 votes in favor, 16 against, and 20 abstentions. The deal aims to modernize the existing aviation agreement between the EU and Morocco, following Croatia’s accession to the EU.

However, Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) notes that many European lawmakers supported the updated agreement precisely because it sticks to adapting the existing agreement after Croatia’s accession, rather than extending it to Western Sahara.

This stance is in line with the EU court’s previous rulings, which held that the aviation deal cannot be interpreted as applying to Western Sahara without the consent of its population. The Commission has consistently confirmed this interpretation and informed airlines that the deal does not apply to routes connecting EU member states to Western Sahara.

Despite these legal clarifications, several European airlines continue to operate flights to Western Sahara, including Ryanair, Transavia, Air Arabia, and Binter Airlines. Royal Air Maroc also operates services to the territory.

WSRW has written to KLM-Air France and Air Arabia, without receiving a response. The organization argues that this is an unacceptable situation under international law and EU regulations.

The EU’s stance on Western Sahara remains a contentious issue, with many questioning how the EU can claim to uphold human rights and democracy while allowing its airlines to operate in the disputed territory.

As the EU continues to navigate its relationships with Morocco and other North African countries, it is essential to address this inconsistency and ensure that EU policies align with international law and human rights standards.