Casablanca – Morocco’s airport network recorded a historic performance in 2025, with total passenger traffic reaching 36.3 million travelers, according to data released by the National Airports Office (ONDA). The figure represents an 11 percent increase compared with 2024, confirming the continued expansion of air transport activity across the Kingdom and highlighting the growing strategic role of aviation in Morocco’s economic and tourism development.

This record performance comes amid the ongoing implementation of the “Airports 2030” strategy, a national roadmap aimed at modernizing airport infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening Morocco’s position as a regional aviation hub and an international travel destination. The 2025 results suggest that the strategy is beginning to deliver measurable outcomes, both at major hub airports and across the broader regional network.

A year shaped by tourism and international events

One of the key drivers of passenger growth in 2025 was the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco. The tournament generated a substantial influx of international visitors, particularly to cities that served as host locations. The arrival of fans from Africa, Europe, and other regions translated into higher flight frequencies and increased passenger volumes across multiple airports.

Beyond the tournament, the broader recovery and expansion of the tourism sector played a central role. Rising international arrivals, the expansion of air routes, and sustained demand for leisure and business travel all contributed to maintaining high traffic levels throughout the year, rather than limiting growth to a single peak period.

Major airports reach new milestones

The growth recorded in 2025 was especially visible at Morocco’s largest airports, several of which crossed symbolic thresholds that underline the scale of transformation underway.

Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca surpassed 11 million passengers by December, reinforcing its role as the country’s primary aviation hub and a key gateway linking Africa with Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. The airport’s performance was supported by expanded connectivity and the development of airline networks, particularly long-haul and regional routes.

Marrakech Menara Airport reached a major milestone by exceeding 10 million passengers for the first time. This achievement reflects Marrakech’s continued strength as one of North Africa’s leading tourism destinations and its ability to attract a diverse mix of leisure travelers and international air services.

Meanwhile, Rabat–Salé Airport posted one of the strongest growth rates nationwide, with passenger traffic rising by 26 percent to exceed two million travelers. The increase highlights the airport’s growing role in serving institutional, diplomatic, and business-related travel linked to the capital.

Concentration of traffic remains high

Despite the expansion of regional airports, air traffic in Morocco remains highly concentrated. Five major airports accounted for nearly 90 percent of total passenger volumes in 2025.

Casablanca alone represented 32 percent of national traffic, followed by Marrakech with 28 percent and Agadir with 10 percent. Tangier and Rabat also recorded strong year-on-year growth of 17 percent and 26 percent, respectively, supported by tourism demand and rising international connectivity.

This concentration reflects both the economic weight of major urban centers and the continued importance of tourism-driven travel flows. However, it also underscores the challenge of achieving a more balanced distribution of air traffic nationwide.

Regional airports gain momentum

Alongside the dominance of major hubs, regional airports showed increasingly positive dynamics in 2025. Airports such as Essaouira, Beni Mellal, Errachidia, and Laâyoune recorded notable growth rates, benefiting from targeted investments, the opening of new air routes, and the gradual development of regional tourism offerings.

This trend points to a gradual rebalancing of air traffic, as smaller airports begin to capture a larger share of domestic and international flows. Improved territorial integration of the airport network is a core objective of the Airports 2030 strategy, particularly in terms of supporting regional economic development and reducing pressure on major hubs.

Strategic coordination and long-term vision

ONDA attributes the 2025 performance not only to demand-side factors but also to institutional coordination across the aviation ecosystem. Airport operations were supported through close cooperation with security services, customs authorities, transport institutions, and other public stakeholders, ensuring smoother passenger flows and improved operational reliability during periods of high traffic.

The results also reflect a longer-term vision aligned with Morocco’s national development objectives for 2030, which emphasize competitiveness, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable growth. Aviation is increasingly seen as a strategic enabler of tourism, trade, and international integration, rather than a standalone sector.

Outlook beyond 2025

With passenger traffic reaching record levels, Morocco’s airport network enters the coming years facing both opportunities and challenges. Sustaining growth will require continued investment in infrastructure, digitalization of passenger services, and capacity management, particularly at major hubs. At the same time, expanding the role of regional airports will be essential to achieving more balanced national development.

The 2025 results suggest that Morocco’s aviation sector is moving into a new phase, characterized by scale, resilience, and strategic ambition. As the Airports 2030 strategy continues to unfold, the performance recorded this year provides a strong foundation for positioning Morocco as a key air transport platform connecting Africa with global markets.