Morocco Experiences Remarkable Growth in Air Passenger Traffic
In a significant development for the aviation sector, Morocco's airports recorded an impressive increase in air passenger traffic, handling a total of 18.83 million passengers during the first half of 2026. This figure marks an 8.83% rise compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a robust recovery and growth in the country's air travel sector, as highlighted by the latest statistics from the National Airports Office (ONDA). The surge in passenger numbers is primarily driven by the resurgence of international travel, which saw international routes carrying 16.84 million passengers, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 8.86%. Domestic flights also saw positive growth, with a total of 1.99 million passengers, up 8.6% from the previous year.
The busiest airport in the nation, Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, handled approximately 5.76 million passengers, registering a remarkable 10.13% increase year-on-year. Following closely was Marrakech-Menara Airport, servicing 5.64 million passengers, and Agadir-Al Massira Airport, which managed 1.88 million travelers. Notably, European routes remain the backbone of Morocco's international aviation market, facilitating the transit of over 14 million passengers, a growth rate of 9% compared to the first half of 2025. Other international markets also demonstrated substantial growth, with South American routes witnessing a 34.31% increase, North America showing a 15.46% rise, and sub-Saharan Africa experiencing an uptick of 15.23%. However, routes connecting Morocco to the Middle East and Far East saw a decline of 5.66%.
In addition to the surge in passenger numbers, Moroccan airports recorded a total of 138,353 aircraft movements in the first six months of 2026. Mohammed V Airport led with 45,824 movements, followed by Marrakech-Menara and Agadir-Al Massira with 36,795 and 12,962 movements respectively. Furthermore, the air cargo sector also maintained its upward trajectory, with 57,828 metric tons of freight handled, reflecting a 12.3% increase from the previous year. Morocco aims to surpass the record of 36.3 million passengers achieved in 2025, despite challenges posed by the absence of unique events like the Africa Cup of Nations, which had temporarily boosted travel figures.
The Moroccan government has set an ambitious target of reaching 80 million annual passengers by 2030. To achieve this goal, plans are underway to enhance air connectivity through new partnerships with airlines, expand the network of Royal Air Maroc, and continue investing in airport infrastructure. These initiatives are critical as Morocco looks to solidify its position as a key player in the global air travel market.
As reported by ecofinagency.com.
