Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Moroccan airports are experiencing a significant surge in passenger traffic, with a 17% increase in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, according to the National Airports Office (ONDA).
February 2024 saw a particularly strong performance, with passenger numbers jumping 19% year-over-year to reach 2.27 million. International travel played a major role in this growth, accounting for a staggering 91% of total traffic.
Notably, European destinations led the pack with a 20% increase, followed by impressive gains from the Middle East, Far East, Africa, North America, and the Maghreb region.
While international traffic dominated, domestic travel also saw a healthy uptick in February, registering an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2023.
This marks a positive step towards pre-pandemic levels, with domestic traffic now only 3% below February 2019 figures.
The skies over Morocco weren’t limited to commercial airfare. General aircraft movements also witnessed a 12% increase in February 2024 compared to the previous year.
Leading the way was Mohammed V Airport, handling 36% of all departures and arrivals, followed by Marrakech Menara and Agadir Al Massira.
The positive trend extends beyond passenger and aircraft movement. Cargo traffic experienced a significant boost, climbing 35% in February 2024 compared to February 2023. This demonstrates a thriving air freight market in Morocco.
Looking at the bigger picture, 2022 saw Moroccan airports achieve impressive recovery rates. Passenger traffic reached 82% of 2019 levels while aircraft movements recovered to 83%.
December 2023 even surpassed pre-pandemic figures, with passenger and aircraft movement recovery rates reaching 104% and 94%, respectively.
Reflecting on the broader trend, the data highlights a strong recovery for Morocco’s aviation sector following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2024 figures demonstrate a gradual momentum from previous years.
