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Morocco’s aviation ambitions have taken a concrete step forward with the launch of groundwork for a new terminal at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.
The project, now entering its physical construction phase, forms part of the broader “Airports 2030” strategy led by the National Airports Office (ONDA), which seeks to position Morocco as a major air hub over the coming years.
ONDA confirmed that the new terminal will raise the airport’s capacity by 20 million passengers annually. Once completed, the site will accommodate up to 35 million travelers a year, making it one of the largest and most strategically located in Africa.
With a projected investment of MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion), the project is considered one of the most ambitious pieces of infrastructure the country has launched in the past decade.
The groundwork contract went to the Moroccan firm SOTAM following a national call for tenders. This first phase, which will last eight months, clears the way for the terminal’s construction.
It marks the transition from months of technical studies to activity on the ground. These studies were carried out by a coalition of international firms with experience in major airport terminals in cities such as London, Madrid, and Geneva.
ONDA stated that this development responds to a vision that places connectivity, technological innovation, and environmental responsibility at the heart of the country’s aviation policy.
The upcoming terminal reflects that outlook. It incorporates a digital travel experience, high energy performance, and infrastructure designed to withstand climate pressures. The site will also host a high-speed train station, offering 30-minute links to Rabat and journeys to Marrakech in under an hour.
Casablanca as a continental air hub
Casablanca already stands as a crucial junction between continents. This terminal aims to deepen that role. ONDA described the project as a way to reinforce the city’s position between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, especially at a time when Royal Air Maroc (RAM) continues to expand its international reach.
The future terminal speaks to Morocco’s readiness to welcome the world ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host. The infrastructure will support that global moment, but it also looks well beyond it, toward long-term transformation in how Morocco connects with the world.
To guarantee the project’s quality and efficiency, ONDA opened an early call for interest to identify the most capable construction partners. That process wrapped up in May 2025, attracting 27 consortia, Moroccan and international, with proven expertise in complex airport systems.
With groundwork now underway, ONDA moves from planning to execution.
Casablanca’s expansion affirms Morocco’s intent to take on a larger role in international air traffic, linking people, markets, and cultures across continents.
