Marrakech – The Airports of Morocco, previously known as the National Airports Office (ONDA), has made a significant announcement regarding the appointment of El Arbi Es-Sobaihi as the new director of Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca. This pivotal decision comes as the country's busiest airport embarks on an ambitious transformation aimed at accommodating the increasing air traffic demands in line with the Airports 2030 strategy, as outlined by the office.
El Arbi Es-Sobaihi brings over two decades of invaluable experience in airport operations to his new role. His extensive career includes managing terminal operations and leading the airport's operations department at Mohammed V. Since 2025, he has been entrusted with strategic coordination responsibilities across various departments of the airport. His past contributions include the successful commissioning of Terminal 1 in Casablanca, underscoring his expertise in overseeing large-scale airport projects.
In his new capacity, Es-Sobaihi will focus on steering the transformation of Morocco’s primary aviation hub. The Airports of Morocco has set clear objectives for his leadership, including enhancing operational performance, elevating the passenger experience, and supporting the broader territorial development envisioned in the Airports 2030 initiative. The office emphasizes the challenge at hand for both the new director and the airport teams, which involves effectively managing sustainable traffic growth while simultaneously improving key performance indicators such as punctuality, passenger flow, reception quality, safety, operational coordination, and overall passenger satisfaction.
The appointment of Es-Sobaihi represents a strategic shift towards leadership profiles that possess practical experience in airport operations, aiming to guide what is described as one of the most significant transformations in Morocco’s aviation sector. This transformation is particularly timely as Casablanca plays a crucial role in national air travel, serving as Morocco’s primary gateway to international networks. The airport is strategically positioned to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors for the FIFA 2030 World Cup, with a target to increase its annual capacity to 35 million passengers by 2030, a substantial rise from the current 15 million.
Central to this ambitious plan is the construction of a new terminal. Earlier this year, the office awarded the construction contract to the all-Moroccan consortium of SGTM-TGCC for a staggering MAD 12.8 billion ($1.28 billion), marking the largest airport construction project in the country’s history. The total investment for this project is projected to reach MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion), with completion expected by late 2029 following a 40-month construction schedule.
ONDA highlights the swift progress made in this endeavor, which has unfolded over approximately eighteen months—from initial infrastructure programming to architectural and technical studies. The timeline includes just eight months from the call for expressions of interest in April 2025 to the awarding of the contract.
Designed by RSHP and ALA Concept, the new H-shaped terminal will cover 600,000 square meters across three levels and is expected to handle 20 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with the potential to expand to 30 million. The terminal will also have the capacity to accommodate up to 45 aircraft simultaneously at contact stands. Its distinctive undulating roof echoes the Atlantic’s waves, while the ochre ceiling features a hexagonal pattern embellished with skylights that draws inspiration from traditional Moroccan design elements like bejmat and terracotta zellige. Passengers will enjoy landscaped oases, retail areas, a large duty-free zone, VIP lounges, and an airport hotel with views of the runways.
The scope of the works extends beyond the terminal itself, including a new parallel runway measuring 3,700 meters by 45 meters, new taxiways, aircraft stands, and a control tower, all of which will enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, a direct connection to the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line is planned, further integrating the airport into the national transport network.
With the new terminal expected to accommodate an additional 20 million passengers each year, Casablanca is set to strengthen its position as an intercontinental hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, while supporting the expansion of Royal Air Maroc (RAM). This ambitious project is projected to generate thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, contributing to the region's economic growth.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
