Casablanca – Morocco’s air transport sector is maintaining strong momentum in early 2026, supported by rising passenger demand, expanding international connectivity, and a long-term strategy to modernize airport infrastructure ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

According to data from the National Airports Authority, passenger traffic across Moroccan airports reached 5.91 million travelers by the end of February 2026, marking a 7.91% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth confirms the continued recovery of the aviation sector and reflects the country’s increasing attractiveness as a travel and tourism destination.

International traffic drives overall growth

The expansion of international travel remains the primary engine behind this performance. Of the total passengers recorded, approximately 5.31 million traveled on international routes, representing an 8.18% increase year-on-year. In contrast, domestic traffic reached 600,867 passengers, growing at a slower but steady pace of 5.60%.

Europe continues to dominate Morocco’s international air traffic, accounting for more than 80% of total international flows, with a 7.04% increase. However, other regions are showing faster growth rates, indicating a gradual diversification of air travel markets.

Passenger flows from Africa rose by 19.93%, while traffic from the Middle East and Far East increased by 7.48%. North America recorded a 20.08% rise, and South America saw the strongest growth at 37.19%, albeit from a smaller base. Traffic with the Maghreb region also grew by 5.63%.

This broad-based expansion highlights Morocco’s efforts to strengthen its global connectivity and reduce reliance on traditional European markets.

Major airports record strong performance

Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport remains the country’s main aviation hub, handling more than 31% of total passenger traffic. By the end of February 2026, the airport welcomed 1.88 million passengers, reflecting a robust 11.76% increase compared to a year earlier.

Other key airports also posted notable growth. Marrakech Menara, Agadir Al Massira, Tangier Ibn Battouta, Rabat-Salé, and Nador El Aroui all recorded steady increases, while Béni Mellal stood out with the highest growth rate of over 32%.

At the same time, earlier data from January 2026 shows that total passenger traffic reached 3.13 million travelers, up 14.7% year-on-year, confirming a strong start to the year. International traffic dominated during that period as well, with 2.8 million passengers, while domestic traffic exceeded 330,000 passengers, rising by more than 13%.

Despite the overall positive trend, some smaller airports—such as those in Oujda, Tetouan, and Tan-Tan—have experienced declines in traffic, highlighting uneven performance across the network.

Aircraft movements and cargo activity on the rise

Operational activity across Moroccan airports has also increased significantly. By the end of February 2026, the number of aircraft movements—arrivals and departures—reached 44,554 flights, representing an 11.65% increase compared to the same period last year.

Air cargo traffic has shown even stronger growth, rising by 23.98% to exceed 21,354 tons, up from 17,223 tons a year earlier. This surge reflects improvements in logistics capacity and growing demand for freight transport, particularly in connection with international trade.

Expansion strategy aligned with World Cup 2030

These positive indicators come as Morocco accelerates investments in airport infrastructure under its “Airports 2030” strategy, designed to prepare the country for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup and to support long-term growth in tourism and air transport.

A central element of this plan is the expansion of Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, whose capacity is expected to increase from 14 million to 35 million passengers by 2029. The objective is to transform the airport into a major intercontinental hub linking Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

In parallel, several other airports—including Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez—are undergoing or planning significant expansions, with the aim of doubling their capacity in the coming years.

Focus on digitalization and passenger experience

Beyond physical infrastructure, the modernization strategy also emphasizes digital transformation and service quality. Authorities are introducing new technologies to streamline passenger flows, from check-in procedures to boarding processes, in order to improve efficiency and reduce waiting times.

Investments in human capital are also part of the plan, with training programs and updated operational practices aimed at enhancing airport management and customer service standards.

Outlook

With sustained growth in passenger traffic, rising cargo volumes, and ongoing infrastructure investments, Morocco is positioning itself as a key aviation hub in Africa and a strategic gateway between continents.

As preparations for the 2030 World Cup continue, the performance of the country’s airports is expected to remain a critical factor in supporting tourism, trade, and broader economic development.