Taking Flight: The Expansion of Airports in Morocco

Wednesday 15 May 2024 - 11:45

In response to the burgeoning demand for air travel, Morocco's Ministry of Transport and Logistics has unveiled plans to expand the nation's major airports. Minister Mohamed Abdeljalil announced that tenders will be issued in the coming weeks for the extension of the airports in Marrakech, Agadir, and Tangier.

"These projects aim to double the capacity of these airports, aligning with the dynamic growth witnessed in the air transport sector," Abdeljalil stated during the oral questions session at the Chamber of Advisors, addressing inquiries about "The Development and Modernization of Airport Infrastructure" raised by the National Rally of Independents group.

With significant upcoming events in Morocco, the ministry is diligently working to achieve its objectives, including increasing the overall capacity of the country's airports to accommodate 80 million passengers annually, up from the current 40 million.

The minister highlighted that the expansion works at Rabat-Salé Airport are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Additionally, the extension of Tetouan Airport has been initiated following the inauguration of its new runway, and plans are underway for the expansion of Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca.

Abdeljalil also mentioned the National Office of Airports' 2019 plans to expand Marrakech Airport, a project postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he assured that air traffic in 2024 has unexpectedly surged by 40% compared to 2019 levels.

As Morocco positions itself as a prime destination for both leisure and business travel, the expansion of its airport infrastructure is a strategic move to accommodate the growing influx of visitors and facilitate seamless air connectivity. These ambitious projects not only demonstrate the country's commitment to modernizing its aviation sector but also underscore its readiness to embrace the soaring demand for air travel in the years to come.