Rabat – Moroccan airports have welcomed 660,045 arrivals and departees from February 7 to 28, 2022, according to Morocco’s National Airports Office (ONDA).
The airports recorded 5,714 international flights in February, connecting Morocco to Europe (64%), the Middle East (13%), the rest of Africa (13%), and North America (6%).
The country’s leading aerial infrastructure, Casablanca-Mohammed V airport recorded 50% of Moroccan air traffic.
The airport witnessed 328,627 departures and arrivals from 2,724 international flights, noting a recovery rate of 72% for passengers and 74% for trips compared to February 2019.
The recovery rate reflects a gradual return to normal tourist visits as Morocco reopened its airspace on February 7.
To counter the spread of COVID-19 cases, ONDA has set up measures “allowing the reception of passengers in the best conditions of health, safety, and quality of service.”
The office has mobilized medical staff to all airports to carry out COVID-19 antigenic and PCR tests for passengers entering the country.
Screening tests are no longer mandatory for all passengers, yet authorities continue to carry out random selections of passengers for antigenic tests inside terminals.
In addition to loosening health measures, the office has decreased passenger processing time by 25%. Airports increased personnel in passport controls and check-in areas to “optimize passenger flow management and reduce waiting times,” according to the office’s report.
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Along with border reopening, ONDA’s data reflects governmental efforts to promote Morocco as a tourism destination abroad through a series of meetings with tourism operators in Europe and launching the international campaign “We are Open.”
Additionally, the ongoing war in Ukraine led to the repatriation of Moroccan nationals through neighboring countries, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
Royal Air Maroc has organized several special flights to assist Moroccans stranded in the Ukraine crisis. So far, the airline’s flights returned 5,000 Moroccans to their home country along with Mauritanian students.
Through diplomatic coordination with Ukraine and neighboring countries, Morocco continues to rescue and repatriate its citizens. On March 6, UNHCR reported that 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine amid- ongoing Russian military invasion.
