Morocco is experiencing a rapid surge in air traffic, prompting the National Airports Office (ONDA) to invest heavily in expanding its infrastructure. Following a record-breaking year in 2023 with 27 million passengers, the country is on track to surpass 30 million in 2024, with a 18.53% growth in the first half of the year alone.
To meet this rising demand, ONDA is set to open bids on September 17 for the expansion of four key airports:
- Marrakech-Menara: Currently handling 7.4 million passengers annually, the airport’s capacity will more than double to 16 million. The project includes a complete overhaul of the passenger terminal, increasing its area to 142,000 square meters, as well as expanding road infrastructure and parking facilities.
- Agadir-Al Massira: The capacity of this airport will nearly triple, from 2.6 million to 7 million passengers per year. The passenger terminal will be expanded to 75,000 square meters, with 23,800 square meters renovated and 51,200 square meters newly constructed. External areas, access roads, and parking will also be expanded.
- Tangier-Ibn Battuta: A new 70,000-square-meter passenger terminal will be built, along with a new control tower and parking. These additions will increase the airport’s capacity from 2 million to 7 million passengers per year.
- Fes-Saïss: This airport’s capacity will increase from 2 million to 5 million passengers per year. The passenger terminal will be expanded to 32,150 square meters at ground level and 13,600 square meters underground. Road infrastructure, external areas, and parking will also be upgraded.
These four expansion projects, with a total estimated cost of 4.5 billion dirhams, will boost the combined capacity of these airports to 35 million passengers annually.
In parallel, ONDA has commissioned Spanish firm Ineco to develop a long-term growth plan for Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, the largest in the country. This program aims to anticipate future needs and prepare the airport to handle increasing passenger numbers through 2040 and 2050.
In July 2023, ONDA launched an international consultation for the development of infrastructure and terminal expansion at Mohammed V Airport. This expansion will focus on the western side of the existing terminals, including the construction of a new runway and associated taxiways to enable independent parallel approaches, as well as new terminal facilities and aircraft parking areas between the new and existing runways.
These significant investments in airport infrastructure reflect Morocco’s commitment to strengthening its position as a major aviation hub in Africa and supporting the ongoing growth of its tourism sector.
