Rabat – While Morocco’s maritime borders remain close until further notice, the country reopened its airspace today, February 7. Moroccan airports are now welcoming international flights from and to the North African kingdom.
The Marrakech-Menara and Mohammed V International airports reported the arrival of passengers from France and Switzerland.
Marrakech-Menara airport welcomed 234 travelers today, including Moroccans residing abroad, 115 from Geneva, and 119 from Nantes.
“It is expected that air traffic at Marrakech-Menara International Airport will intensify in the coming weeks, while 16 flights are expected this Monday, between 1,500 and 2,000 passengers,” Chief of Operations Division at the Marrakech-Menara Airport Zakaria Harti told Moroccan state-owned television channel M24.
“We thank the Moroccan authorities for this mobilization and for all the efforts made to better manage this pandemic crisis,” Harti added.
In partnership with Morocco’s National Office of Airports (ONDA) and the Ministry of Health, the airports are taking intensive measures to limit the spread of potential COVID-19 cases, including social distancing, installment of antiseptic gels distributors, disinfection of facilities and equipment, among other measures.
Read Also: Morocco’s 2021 Air Traffic Approaches 10 Million Passengers
In a statement to M24, Mohamed Belout, head of border health control department at Marrakech-Menara airport, reported that the airport staff check passenger’s vaccination passes, conduct rapid tests and random PCR tests.
On February 1, Morocco’s government announced the requirements to enter Moroccan territory, including a vaccination pass and a negative PCR test taken less than 48 hours before plane boarding. Passengers also have to take rapid tests upon arrival and potentially PCR tests too. Positive cases will have to be confined at their place of residency.
Morocco’s Ministry of Health has set up a vaccination center within the airport to allow travelers to complete their vaccination program as they can receive the third dose at the center.
Morocco’s National Tourism Office (ONMT) has organized meetings with multiple airlines to resume international flights to and from Morocco and revive the tourism sector.
Welcoming the reopening of Moroccan airspace, Royal Air Maroc, Air France, Binter, EasyJet, Transavia, and Air Arabia Maroc all announced the resumption of their flights to and from Morocco.
Read Also: Travel Requirements to Enter Europe, North America from Morocco
