Flight Traffic Projections for Casablanca and Agadir
Eurocontrol, the organization responsible for coordinating air traffic management across Europe, has included Morocco in its planning scope, forecasting a significant increase in air traffic during the summer months. According to a plan reviewed by barlamane.com, it is expected that there will be up to 1,080 flights daily within the Casablanca control zone and 840 flights in the Agadir zone between July 13 and September 6.
The Eurocontrol network management plan spans eight weeks and distinguishes between traffic managed by regional control centers and movements recorded at airports. The total of 56 daily forecasts indicates that Casablanca will handle approximately 57,690 flights over this period, averaging around 1,030.2 flights per day, while Agadir will see about 44,750 flights, amounting to roughly 799.1 flights per day. The document does not predict any capacity shortages but notes that demand may approach capacity limits during peak times, necessitating additional flexibility.
Weekly Flight Forecasts and Capacity Management
According to the detailed forecasts, Casablanca is projected to experience peak traffic on Saturdays, reaching 1,080 flights, while Agadir is expected to hit its peak of 840 flights on Thursdays. The daily forecasts for Casablanca from July 13 to July 19 are 1,010, 1,000, 990, 1,030, 1,050, 1,070, and 1,040 flights. The subsequent weeks show similar patterns, with slight variations in the number of flights. For example, from August 3 to August 9, the daily forecasts are 1,010, 1,030, 1,020, 1,040, 1,040, 1,060, and 1,040 flights.
Agadir's forecasts exhibit a comparable trend, with flight numbers ranging from 770 to 840 throughout the summer weeks. The average daily flights for Agadir are projected between 795.7 and 801.4, with the highest average occurring on Thursdays. Notably, Eurocontrol highlighted that Casablanca-Mohammed V is the only Moroccan airport included in their analysis, with average weekly flights set at around 308.4, based exclusively on airport movements and not accounting for the higher volumes handled by regional control zones.
In addition to these forecasts, Eurocontrol has indicated the planned sector operations for both Casablanca and Agadir, with no expected reductions in sector capacities. The plan outlines the operational details, including the number of sectors open at different times and emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate staffing for air traffic management and security personnel. Regular maintenance of technical equipment and infrastructure is also assured.
As Morocco prepares for the upcoming changes in air traffic management, the country remains strategically linked to Eurocontrol under a comprehensive agreement. The weekly published plan provides a rolling eight-week overview designed to align air navigation service providers and airports with anticipated demand, ensuring a smoother travel experience for passengers this summer.
