Air Traffic Projections for Casablanca and Agadir
The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) announced on Friday, July 31, that the air traffic control centers in Casablanca and Agadir are expected to handle up to 1,050 and 870 daily flights, respectively, between August 3 and September 27. This projection comes despite limited staffing for managing air traffic flows and technical services, with no reductions in sector capacities anticipated. According to Eurocontrol, the European air traffic network manager, demand may, however, occasionally approach available limits during peak hours.
This seasonal rolling plan covers an eight-week period and addresses the regional control centers of Agadir and Casablanca separately. Eurocontrol classifies Morocco, along with Israel, as a non-EU member state that is connected to Eurocontrol through a global agreement, alongside several EU member states that are also part of the organization.
Flight Traffic Details and Capacity Management
In Casablanca, Eurocontrol estimates the projected traffic to range between 960 and 1,050 flights per day. The first week, from August 3 to 9, is expected to average around 1,021 daily flights, with a peak of 1,050 flights anticipated on Thursday, August 6, and again on Friday, August 28. However, the average is expected to drop to approximately 976 flights from September 21 to 27, reflecting a decrease of 4.5% from the start to the end of the covered period.
Meanwhile, the Agadir control center is projected to manage between 730 and 870 flights daily. The average flight count is estimated at 794 daily flights from August 3 to 9, compared to 774 from September 21 to 27, indicating a decline of 2.5%. Saturdays are expected to be the busiest days each week, with 840 flights projected for August 8, 850 on several middle weeks, and a peak of 870 flights on Saturday, September 26.
At Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, Eurocontrol notes an average of 311 movements per day during the first week, 315 between August 24 and 30, and 292 during the final week of September. The organization assigns a maximum overall capacity of 33 movements per hour to this airport, with separate limits of 18 arrivals and 29 departures.
Eurocontrol reassures that "no reduction in sector capacity" is planned for either Casablanca or Agadir, emphasizing that "no capacity issues are expected," while cautioning that demand could approach limits during brief periods. Although staffing for flow management positions (FMP) and air traffic safety electronics personnel (ATSEP) remains limited, they continue to support control teams daily. Maintenance of equipment and technical infrastructure is regularly ensured, according to the organization.
The timeline has set December 24 for the second phase of the new sectorization of the Casablanca center, replacing conventional routes with RNAV 5 surface navigation routes above flight level 195 and opening a new interface between Seville and Casablanca. A first phase of free-route airspace, MORFRA, is set to follow in Casablanca on January 21, 2027, with a second phase in Agadir on February 18, and the continuation of the Lisbon-Casablanca-Canaries axis in 2027.
Lastly, the airport event calendar includes the eighth edition of the Marrakech Air Show, scheduled for October 5 to 10, 2026, at Marrakech-Menara Airport. Eurocontrol has incorporated this event into the schedule of occurrences that may require special coordination with the European air traffic network.
As reported by barlamane.com.
