Rabat – Air travel in Morocco hit a new record in 2024 when 32.7 million travelers passed through Moroccan airports.
The statistic is up 21% from the last year, the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) reports.
The increase is due to consistent growth in both international and domestic travel.
The number of international passengers rose by 20%, while domestic travelers increased by 30%, the DEPF reported, citing data from the National Airports Authority (ONDA).
Authorities have introduced a new strategy, “Airports 2030,” to turn Morocco’s airports into strategic hubs that match the country’s economic and tourism ambitions.
The plan seeks to modernize infrastructure and enhance capacity to cater to expanding needs.
The largest airport in the country, Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, is set to raise its capacity to 35 million from 14 million by 2029.
The airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez will also undergo a significant modernization to double capacity.
Meanwhile, Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has also embarked on a daring plan to expand its fleet from 50 aircraft to 200 by the year 2037 and make itself a force to be reckoned with in global aviation.
Moreover, Morocco is working on making a mega airport expansion become a reality under its comprehensive master plan to advance its air linkages.
Last month, Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh announced that the country is set to invest around MAD 42 billion ($4.1 billion) in airport expansion projects by 2030.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting alongside Spain and Portugal, is a major catalyst for this initiative, as the North African country is determined to be a global gateway and provide smooth air transport for the crowds and football fans.
Airport traffic may reach as high as 60 million passengers by 2030 and 90 million by 2035, forecasted the minister.
