After Casablanca, Marrakech Airport Removes Entry Security Scanners

Doha – Following Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport’s lead, Marrakech-Menara Airport has implemented significant changes to its entry security infrastructure, removing scanners and security gates from its entrance points starting Friday.

The National Airports Office (ONDA) confirmed that these changes aim to reduce the lengthy queues that have plagued the airport in recent years.

“The coordination has allowed us to rethink the control system while maintaining strict security standards,” ONDA stated in an official communication.

The office emphasized that additional human resources and equipment have been deployed to ensure rapid and efficient service.

The changes come at a crucial time for the airport of the ochre city, which has exceeded its intended capacity, as was evident during the unexpected surge in tourist arrivals last year.

Originally designed to handle 8 million passengers annually, the airport processed 9.3 million travelers in 2024, necessitating urgent infrastructure improvements.

To address these capacity challenges, ONDA has already implemented several modifications, including increasing waiting capacity at arrivals and reorganizing control zones for both international and domestic flights.

These improvements have successfully reduced average waiting times to less than one hour, with plans to further decrease this to thirty minutes.

The airport’s modernization plans include additional projects such as restructuring the departure zone, implementing e-gates, adding new boarding gates, and the construction of a new boarding hall.

These developments are part of ONDA’s “Airports 2030” strategy, aimed at enhancing traveler experience while supporting Morocco’s growing tourism sector.

The improvements align with Morocco’s ambitious goal to attract 26 million tourists by 2030, a target that appears increasingly achievable as the country prepares to host major sports tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations later this year and co-organize the 2030 World Cup.

Looking ahead, the airport has ambitious expansion plans. Construction work is scheduled to double the size of the existing terminal, with the goal of increasing capacity to accommodate 16 million passengers by 2028.

This major operational change reflects a broader national initiative to modernize Morocco’s airport infrastructure.

The successful implementation at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport on March 5 paved the way for similar changes at Marrakech-Menara, with other airports in the country expected to follow suit.

The transformation has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, the Immigration and Border Surveillance Department, General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), Royal Gendarmerie, Customs Services, and the Wilaya of Marrakech Services.