Home Morocco Air traffic surges past pre-pandemic levels, Morocco rides the wave

Air traffic surges past pre-pandemic levels, Morocco rides the wave

Eurocontrol air traffic hit 11.1 million flights in 2025, surpassing pre-COVID levels, with Morocco rising as a major regional player.
Eurocontrol air traffic hit 11.1 million flights in 2025, surpassing pre-COVID levels, with Morocco rising as a major regional player.

Air traffic across the Eurocontrol network has officially returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 11.1 million flights recorded in 2025—surpassing, for the first time, the volume reached in 2019. This milestone marks a symbolic recovery for an industry deeply impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and it underscores Morocco’s growing role as a key player within Europe’s broader aviation ecosystem.

As a member of Eurocontrol—alongside countries such as Turkey, Israel, and Armenia—Morocco has reaped the benefits of this rebound, thanks largely to booming tourism demand. Southern destinations in particular, including Greece, Spain, and Italy, posted double-digit growth, a trend that Morocco mirrored with strong gains. This resurgence has further boosted Morocco’s visibility among airlines, especially in the low-cost segment, which continues to prioritize sun-soaked markets in its expansion strategies.

In 2025, average daily flight numbers hit 30,474—slightly above the 30,427 daily movements recorded in 2019. Eurocontrol noted that the number of passengers had already exceeded pre-crisis figures in 2024, due to the deployment of larger aircraft and improved seat occupancy.

Low-cost carriers, which are heavily present in Morocco, have emerged as the dominant force in the European skies. In a historic shift, budget airlines accounted for 35.4% of all flights in Europe, outpacing traditional carriers. Ryanair, which operates numerous routes to and from Morocco, solidified its lead with over 3,180 daily flights, ahead of EasyJet and Turkish Airlines.

This momentum is also reflected in airport rankings. While Istanbul retained its status as Europe’s busiest hub, Moroccan airports—such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier—have become increasingly vital stopovers in many airline networks. These facilities have undergone significant modernization, helping to position the country as a strategic aviation hub.

Operational performance has also improved across the board. Air traffic control-related delays were down 17% compared to the previous year, signaling better efficiency in the skies.

Looking ahead, Eurocontrol forecasts 11.4 million flights in 2026, representing a 3.2% increase, with a steady growth trajectory of around 1.8% annually through 2031. For Morocco, this creates a promising outlook. With an ambitious national aviation roadmap already in motion, the country is well positioned to deepen its regional and continental integration in the air transport sector.

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