PACMA press room
Winter skydiving in Morocco, with the facts to back it up.
A club approved by the French Parachuting Federation, founded in 2000 and based in Beni Mellal since 2003: everything you need to tell the PACMA story accurately, plus 34 articles and videos published since 2008.
- Founded
- 2000
- Approved by
- FFP
- Exit altitude
- 4,000 m
- 2026-2027 season
- 5 Dec → 4 Apr
At a glance
What should you know about PACMA?
PACMA (Parachute Air Club du Maroc) is a skydiving club approved by the French Parachuting Federation (FFP), founded in 2000 and based at Beni Mellal airport since 2003. Every winter it brings the thrill of freefall to first-timers and licensed skydivers alike, from about 4,000 m in a Pilatus PC-6 Porter, facing the Middle Atlas.
- 2000
- club founded by Karim Zaz and Omar Benizi
- 2003
- permanent move to Beni Mellal airport
- FFP
- approved by the French Parachuting Federation
- 4,000 m
- approximate exit altitude
- ≈ 50 s
- of freefall at around 200 km/h
- 9 + 1
- skydivers plus pilot aboard the Pilatus PC-6 Porter
- 5 Dec → 4 Apr
- 2026-2027 season, every day from 8:30 am to 6 pm
- 2 h · 2.5 h
- by road from Casablanca and from Marrakech
Getting it right
- PACMA is a club approved by the French Parachuting Federation (FFP): its operating rules are the FFP's.
- Beni Mellal is a 2-hour drive from Casablanca and 2.5 hours from Marrakech: a day trip or weekend away, rather than an activity "in Marrakech".
- Two price lists: non-residents pay in euros (tandem €250), Morocco residents in dirhams (tandem 2,500 MAD).
- Gift vouchers are valid for the season: until 4 April 2027 for a voucher bought today, with the date printed on the voucher.
- Tandem minimum age and maximum weight: the current rule is on the site's Tandem page.
Story ideas
Which stories can you pitch to your editor?
Five strong angles keep coming up in the press since 2008: winter sun at 4,000 m facing the Atlas, Beni Mellal as an adventure destination, the story of a Franco-Moroccan FFP-approved club, a first jump with no experience needed, and the major gatherings hosted at the dropzone.
- 01
4,000 m above the Atlas, in the middle of winter
From 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, the club is open every day facing the Middle Atlas peaks, often snow-capped in winter. Expect about 50 seconds of freefall, then 5 to 7 minutes under canopy above the Tadla plain.
In the press: CYPRES (blog), 20 February 2025
- 02
Beni Mellal, an adventure tourism destination
In February 2026, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra regional tourism council ran a skydiving fam trip with PACMA. The council says around 1,000 skydivers visited the region in 2025.
In the press: Aujourd'hui le Maroc, 17 February 2026 · Le Matin, 12 February 2026
- 03
A Franco-Moroccan club since 2000
Founded by Karim Zaz and Omar Benizi and approved by the FFP, the club works with Vertical T'Air (Arcachon, France), which provides the aircraft and part of the instructor team. Many French skydivers and instructors spend the winter in Beni Mellal.
In the press: Aujourd'hui le Maroc, November 2008 · Médias24, 13 June 2022
- 04
A first jump, no experience needed
A tandem can be enjoyed on day one, harnessed to a qualified instructor: €250 for non-residents, 2,500 MAD for Morocco residents. To learn to jump solo, the PAC programme (the French equivalent of AFF) follows FFP rules.
In the press: Le360, 1 March 2025 · Yabiladi, 18 December 2016
- 05
Big gatherings at the dropzone
A partnership with France's École polytechnique (3,000 jumps through the club in February 2008, 1,500 of them by students, according to the press), then an international skydiving championship in February 2023: 35 skydivers, including a PACMA team.
In the press: Aujourd'hui le Maroc, March 2008 · Le Courrier de l'Atlas, 20 February 2023
Filming or reporting on site?
During the season the club welcomes you every day from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Send your dates, outlet and needs through the press form and the club will confirm the arrangements by email. Jumps depend on the weather, so allow a spare day to leave with the best footage.
Plan an on-site feature
Press coverage
PACMA in the media: 34 articles and videos since 2008
Moroccan and international media, in French, Arabic and English. Each link opens the original article in a new tab.
2026
5 items
Aujourd'hui le Maroc17 February 2026
Grâce à un Fam Trip B2B exclusif: Le parachutisme propulse Béni Mellal sur la carte du tourisme d’aventure
Wrap-up of the second edition of the regional tourism council’s skydiving event, a B2B fam trip held 13–15 February 2026 in partnership with PACMA. The council says roughly 1,000 skydivers visited the region in 2025.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Atlasscoop (dépêche MAP)15 February 2026
بني ملال.. رحلة دولية تعريفية بالقفز بالمظلات للترويج لسياحة المغامرات
MAP wire story on the launch of the skydiving fam trip in Béni Mellal, run with the city’s skydiving club and attended by tourism professionals from several European markets.
ArticleArabicRead the article
Siyassi15 February 2026
يونس العراقي :” من خلال رياضة القفز بالمظلات نهدف إلى تعريف بالمؤهلات السياحية لجهة بني ملال خنيفرة”
Regional tourism council president Younes Laraqui explains that the skydiving fam trip, held with the Béni Mellal skydiving club, aims to showcase the region’s tourism assets.
ArticleArabicRead the article
Le Matin12 February 2026
Béni Mellal mise sur le parachutisme pour renforcer son positionnement dans le tourisme d’aventure
Preview of the 13–15 February 2026 B2B skydiving fam trip organised by the regional tourism council with Parachute Air Club Maroc for Moroccan and European tour operators and media.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Beni Mellal News11 February 2026
من سماء بني ملال… تجربة القفز بالمظلات في رحلة تعريفية دولية
Local news site outlining the February 2026 skydiving fam trip programme (demo jumps, a talk, B2B meetings) and noting the presence of a dedicated local skydiving club.
ArticleArabicRead the article
2025
3 items
Le3601 March 2025
Testé pour vous: le frisson ultime du saut en parachute
Video and written feature in which a Le360 reporter makes a 4,000 m tandem jump at PACMA, described as an association founded in 2000, alongside world champion Domitille Kiger.
VideoFrenchWatch the video
Le3601 March 2025
Domitille Kiger, championne du monde de parachutisme: «Il faut transformer la peur en moteur»
Interview with champion skydiver Domitille Kiger, who talks about her many stays in Béni Mellal, one of Morocco’s two skydiving centres, and an upcoming tandem jump there with Moroccan women.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
CYPRES (blog)20 February 2025
Morocco Part 2: Skydiving PACMA Beni Mellal
Account of the CYPRES manufacturer tour stop at PACMA: a site the club has used for decades, closely tied to Arcachon skydivers who winter there, with over a hundred French jumpers at the peak event.
BlogEnglishRead the article
2024
3 items
Yabiladi (English)9 July 2024
Five thrilling sports adventures to try in Morocco
Roundup of five adventure activities in Morocco, including tandem skydiving at the Béni Mellal airport drop zone (briefing, about a minute of freefall, from 2,500 dirhams).
ArticleEnglishRead the article
Médias2416 February 2024
Béni Mellal. Sur la route des lieux incontournables du Moyen Atlas
Regional travel feature presenting skydiving as a Béni Mellal trademark thanks to PACMA, with jumps available from December to the end of April.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Aujourd'hui le Maroc15 January 2024
Le parachutisme à Beni Mellal, un moyen de promouvoir le tourisme
Interview with Moulay Omar Benizi, the club’s president and technical director: 700–800 skydivers per season, 8-day courses, over 14,000 personal jumps since 1975, plus trainee testimonials.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
2023
11 items
Consonews21 February 2023
Le parachutisme : Une attraction qui promeut la destination de Béni Mellal Khénifra
Report on the February 2023 international championship, held with the contribution of the Béni Mellal skydiving club; PACMA’s men’s team is listed among the competitors.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Le Courrier de l'Atlas20 February 2023
Championnat international de parachutisme à Béni Mellal au Maroc
Results of the February 2023 championship: 35 skydivers took part, including PACMA’s men’s team, with both Royal Armed Forces sections taking the titles.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Al Ain Al Ikhbaria19 February 2023
بني ملال تنظم البطولة الدولية للقفز بالمظلات
Arabic report on the February 2023 international championship (35 skydivers), listing the PACMA club men’s team among the participants.
ArticleArabicRead the article
SNRTnews18 February 2023
Championnat international de parachutisme à Béni Mellal: l’équipe des FAR championne
SNRT brief on the 18 February 2023 championship results, naming PACMA’s men’s team among the entrants; the Royal Armed Forces won both categories.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
SNRTnews18 February 2023
Béni Mellal: A la découverte du parachutisme, sport à fortes sensations
On-the-ground report from the competition day at Béni Mellal aerodrome: launch by the regional governor, skydiver interviews, Ahidous folk music and podium prizes from 20,000 to 10,000 dirhams.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
SNRTnews17 February 2023
Le parachutisme au service de la promotion touristique de la région Beni Mellal-Khénifra
SNRT piece on the opening conference of the 2023 championship, where practitioners presented skydiving as a tourism-promotion lever for Béni Mellal.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Aujourd'hui le Maroc15 February 2023
Béni Mellal accueille le Championnat international de parachutisme
Preview of the 2023 championship with quotes from Omar Benizi: club created in 2003, nearly 900 visitors per season and over 300 expected by March.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Mamlakatona14 February 2023
الترفيه الجوي في خدمة سياحة المغامرات بجهة بني ملال-خنيفرة” شعار البطولة الدولية للقفز بالمظلات ببني ملال
Arabic preview of the February 2023 championship at Béni Mellal airport: 30 competitors from Monaco, Qatar, France and Morocco, with comments from the tourism council president.
ArticleArabicRead the article
Mamlakatona13 February 2023
بني ملال، تعزز إشعاعها كعاصمة المغرب لرياضة القفز بالمظلات بلا منازع
Piece on Béni Mellal and skydiving, published ahead of the international championship of February 2023.
ArticleArabicRead the article
Infomédiaire7 February 2023
Championnat international de parachutisme de Béni Mellal. Quoi de neuf cette année ?
Tourism council announcement of the 17–19 February 2023 international championship at Béni Mellal aerodrome, with Moroccan and foreign teams (France, Monaco, Qatar).
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace2023
Les Ambassadeurs parachutistes s’entraînent au Maroc
French Air and Space Force news item on its “Ambassadeurs” demonstration team training in Béni Mellal at the Parachute Air Club since 2020 (page could not be opened).
ArticleFrenchRead the article
2022
2 items
Médias2413 June 2022
Parachutisme à Beni Mellal. Et si on se jetait dans le vide ?
In-depth profile of PACMA and Omar Benizi, a former Royal Armed Forces officer and ex-national team member: tandem and AFF-style courses, December–April season, French clientele (Air Force, Polytechnique) and tourism impact.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Atlasscoop (dépêche MAP)16 February 2022
بني ملال.. فضاء القفز بالمظلات يستأنف نشاطه
MAP wire on the drop zone reopening after the Covid-19 closure; technical director Omar Benizi says the club, founded in 2003, welcomes nearly 900 visitors a season.
ArticleArabicRead the article
2020
2 items
Le36011 July 2020
Un été au Maroc: 5 activités inédites à fortes sensations à pratiquer dans le Royaume
Adventure-activity roundup recommending PACMA in Béni Mellal (drop zone created in 2000, approved training centre) with its then prices for tandem, AFF-style and licensed jumps.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Hespress (YouTube)19 February 2020
انطلاق موسم القفز بالمظلات في مطار بني ملال
Hespress video covering the opening of the skydiving season at Béni Mellal airport.
VideoArabicWatch the video
2008
3 items
Aujourd'hui le MarocNovember 2008
À Béni Mellal, le parachutisme a le vent en poupe
Overview of the aerodrome (113 ha, 1,200 m runway) and the April 2008 ONDA agreement to expand it; an officer cites 3,000 jumps already made through PACMA since 2003.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Aujourd'hui le MarocMarch 2008
Beni Mellal : Les élèves de l’Ecole Polytechnique française à l’honneur
Governor’s reception for École Polytechnique students jumping in Béni Mellal; PACMA is credited with 3,000 jumps, 1,500 by Polytechnique students, and Karim Zaz sets out his goal of a reference hub for European winter skydiving.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Aujourd'hui le MarocFebruary 2008
Beni Mellal : Parachutisme dans le ciel de l’Atlas
Announcement of an international skydiving gathering at Béni Mellal airport from 15 December 2007 to 15 April 2008, run by the Parachute Air Club (then “of Marrakech”) with ONDA and the regional authorities.
ArticleFrenchRead the article
Citing PACMA
How should you cite PACMA?
Official name: "PACMA – Parachute Air Club du Maroc". Suggested link: the site address in your article's language. For an online article, the HTML snippet below is ready to copy: it helps readers find the official source, with no obligation on your part.
- Official name
- PACMA – Parachute Air Club du Maroc
- Site address
https://www.pacma-maroc.com/en- HTML snippet
<a href="https://www.pacma-maroc.com/en">PACMA – Parachute Air Club du Maroc</a>- Photo credit
- © PACMA – Parachute Air Club du Maroc
Resources
Logo, photos and fact sheet
Logo
The club's official badge, PNG 512 × 512 px on a transparent background.
Download the logo
Media contact
A press enquiry?
Interview, on-site feature during the season, photos, figures: describe what you need and your deadline in the form and the club will reply by email. You can also write directly to the address below: we'll be delighted to help.
By email
contact@pacma-maroc.comFAQ
Questions from journalists
Who should I contact for a press enquiry at PACMA?
Use the press form on this page or email contact@pacma-maroc.com, giving your outlet, publication language and deadline. The club replies by email.
Can I film or report on site in Beni Mellal?
Yes, during the season, on request: from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, the club welcomes you every day from 8:30 am to 6 pm at Beni Mellal airport. Give your dates in the press form and the club will confirm the arrangements. Jumps depend on the weather: allow a spare day.
Where can I find PACMA's logo and photos?
The club's logo can be downloaded from this page as a PNG on a transparent background. For photos or video footage, describe what you need (subject, format, use) in the press form.
How should I credit PACMA in an article?
Write "PACMA – Parachute Air Club du Maroc" on first mention, then "PACMA". For an online article, a link to the site in your article's language lets readers find the official source.
Is PACMA an approved skydiving club?
Yes. PACMA is a club approved by the French Parachuting Federation (FFP): training and operating rules aligned with the FFP, qualified instructors, an automatic activation device on every parachute, and weather calls made by the chief instructor.
What prices should I quote for a skydive at PACMA?
There are two official price lists for the 2026-2027 season: a tandem costs €250 for non-residents and 2,500 MAD for Morocco residents; the AFF first jump €500 or 6,000 MAD; a licensed skydiver's jump €27 or 290 MAD. All prices are on the Prices page.
Why not jump yourself?
Skydiving is even easier to write about once you've lived it from 4,000 m: a tandem costs €250, no experience needed, every day from 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027.