Significant Growth in Airport Traffic Highlights Casablanca and Marrakech's Importance
According to recent statistics from the National Airports Office (ONDA), Morocco has witnessed a remarkable increase in air traffic, with a total of 29.33 million passengers recorded by the end of September 2026. This figure represents an 8.74% rise compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a robust recovery and growth in the aviation sector of the Kingdom. The two leading airports, Casablanca Mohammed V and Marrakech-Ménara, have emerged as the primary hubs, serving 9.36 million and 8.11 million travelers, respectively. Together, these airports account for nearly 60% of the overall air traffic in Morocco during the first nine months of the year.
This data underscores the critical role that Casablanca and Marrakech play in shaping the air travel landscape within Morocco. Other significant airports in the country, such as Agadir-Al Massira, which handled 2.79 million passengers, and Tangier Ibn Battouta and Rabat-Salé, with 2.33 million and 1.90 million travelers respectively, demonstrate more modest traffic volumes. However, it is crucial to note that the growth in air traffic has been a widespread phenomenon across all segments, indicating a positive trend for the entire aviation sector.
International travel has seen significant growth, totaling 26.15 million passengers, reflecting an 8.73% increase year-on-year. Domestic travel has also surged, with an 8.88% rise, amounting to 3.18 million travelers. The European market remains the dominant contributor to international traffic, with 21.67 million passengers recorded, marking a 9.05% increase. Additionally, links with Africa have seen a notable rise of 13.62%, bringing the total to 1.58 million travelers, while North America has shown a promising increase of 13.23%, with 771,932 passengers.
In terms of aircraft movements, Moroccan airports logged 214,607 movements by the end of September, reflecting a 9.70% annual increase. Furthermore, air freight has experienced a commendable growth of 14.29%, totaling 83,744.45 tonnes. As Morocco works towards expanding the capacities of several airport facilities, the current challenge lies in adapting to the increasing demand while ensuring that various regions of the country are adequately served.
The concentration of air traffic at major hubs such as Casablanca and Marrakech can enhance the development of these platforms; however, it also raises essential questions regarding the accessibility of smaller airports and the equitable distribution of public investments across the aviation network.
As reported by agenceecofin.com.
