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New directors appointed for Nador, Agadir airports to enhance operations

New directors appointed for Nador, Agadir airports to enhance operations
Friday 14 March 2025 - 15:40 By: Dakir Madiha
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Morocco's National Airports Office (ONDA) announces leadership changes at Nador El Aroui and Agadir Al Massira airports as part of its ambitious “Airports 2030” strategy. The new appointments aim to strengthen management and efficiency at these vital transport hubs.

Adel El Fakir, ONDA Director General, has named Othmane Hassani to direct Nador El Aroui airport, while El Mokhtar Dahraoui takes the helm at Agadir Al Massira airport. Both leaders possess significant expertise in air navigation and airport infrastructure management, indicating a strategic move to modernize operations.

In 2024, Nador El Aroui airport welcomed over 1.05 million passengers, marking a 3% increase compared to the previous year, when it first surpassed the one million passenger threshold. Agadir Al Massira airport reported a more substantial growth, handling 3.1 million passengers in 2024, a remarkable 36% increase from the year before. Given this surge, ONDA is poised to initiate an expansion project at Agadir to accommodate greater passenger numbers.

Hassani and Dahraoui are tasked with pioneering the modernization of their respective airports, where their responsibilities will include enhancing passenger flow management, improving service quality, and driving operational efficiencies.

This restructuring of airport leadership began in 2024, signaling ONDA’s commitment to excellence in airport management. Last September, new leadership was installed at Al Hoceima-Chérif Al Idrissi, Tétouan-Saniat R’mel, and Laâyoune-Hassan 1er airports. In November, Hicham Rahil was appointed as the director of Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport after an extensive career with ONDA.

Morocco's airports have seen significant growth, reaching a record 32.7 million passengers in 2024, which reflects a 21% increase from 2023. Noteworthy is the 20% growth in international passenger traffic, complemented by a 30% rise in domestic travel.

Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh announced in January that Morocco plans to invest MAD 42 billion ($4.2 billion) in airport expansion projects by 2030 in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the nation will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The comprehensive expansion program will focus on upgrading key airports, such as Casablanca’s Mohammed V, which aims to increase its capacity from 14 million to 35 million passengers by 2029. Additionally, significant upgrades are planned for Marrakech, Tangier, and Fez airports to double their capacity.

The government forecasts that airport traffic could escalate to 60 million passengers by 2030 and reach 90 million by 2035, aligning with Morocco's burgeoning tourism sector. The country welcomed 17.4 million international tourists in 2024, a 20% rise from the previous year, solidifying its status as Africa's leading tourist destination and aiming for 26 million visitors during the World Cup year.

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