Casablanca – Morocco’s airport network maintained steady growth during the first half of 2026, with passenger traffic approaching 19 million travelers as expanding international connectivity, rising tourism demand, and continued growth in domestic travel supported activity across the country’s major airports.

According to the latest figures released by the National Airports Office (ONDA), Moroccan airports handled 18,831,461 passengers between January and June 2026, representing an 8.83% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The results reflect continued expansion in the country’s aviation sector, with gains recorded across passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and air cargo operations.

International routes remained the primary engine of growth during the period. Moroccan airports served 16,835,752 international passengers, an increase of 8.86% year-on-year, while domestic traffic reached 1,995,709 passengers, up 8.6% compared with the first six months of 2025.

The figures indicate that international travel continued to account for the vast majority of airport activity in Morocco, representing nearly nine out of every ten passengers handled during the first half of the year.

Among the country’s airports, Casablanca Mohammed V Airport retained its position as Morocco’s largest aviation hub. The airport welcomed 5,756,388 passengers during the six-month period, posting a 10.13% increase from the previous year and accounting for roughly one-third of total passenger traffic nationwide.

Marrakech Menara Airport remained the second-busiest airport, handling 5,636,776 passengers, reflecting the city’s continued importance as one of Morocco’s leading tourism destinations.

Other major airports also reported solid traffic volumes. Agadir Al Massira Airport welcomed 1,878,974 passengers, while Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport handled 1,402,756 travelers. Rabat-Salé Airport completed the top five with 1,217,574 passengers during the first half of 2026.

The performance of these airports highlights the broad distribution of passenger demand across Morocco’s commercial aviation network, serving tourism, business travel, and domestic mobility.

Europe remained Morocco’s largest international aviation market by a wide margin. More than 14 million passengers traveled between Morocco and European destinations during the first six months of the year, representing a 9% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

The European market continued to provide the largest share of international travelers arriving in and departing from Morocco, supported by tourism, business links, and travel by the Moroccan diaspora.

Several other international markets also recorded strong growth during the period.

Passenger traffic between Morocco and Africa increased 15.23%, reaching 971,193 passengers, while routes linking Morocco with North America carried 461,695 passengers, representing a 15.46% increase compared with a year earlier.

Traffic with neighboring Maghreb countries also expanded, rising 11% to 244,069 passengers.

The strongest growth rate among international markets was recorded on routes connecting Morocco with South America, where passenger numbers climbed 34.31% to 53,807 travelers. Although this remains one of the smaller international markets by passenger volume, it registered the fastest pace of expansion during the first half of the year.

The only major region to experience a decline was traffic between Morocco and destinations in the Middle East and Far East. Passenger numbers on these routes fell 5.66% year-on-year to 1,044,129 travelers, contrasting with the broader growth recorded across most other international markets.

Airport operations expanded alongside higher passenger volumes.

Between January and June, Moroccan airports recorded 138,353 aircraft movements, representing a 9.65% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

Casablanca Mohammed V Airport accounted for the largest share of aircraft activity with 45,824 aircraft movements, followed by Marrakech Menara Airport with 36,795 and Agadir Al Massira Airport with 12,962.

The increase in aircraft movements broadly matched the rise in passenger traffic, reflecting growing flight frequencies and expanded airline operations serving Morocco’s airports.

Air cargo activity also continued to strengthen during the first half of the year.

Moroccan airports handled 57,828.11 metric tons of freight, representing a 12.3% increase compared with the first six months of 2025. The faster growth in cargo volumes relative to passenger traffic indicates continued expansion in freight transport alongside commercial passenger services.

Monthly data also pointed to sustained momentum heading into the summer travel season.

During June 2026 alone, Moroccan airports welcomed 3,116,576 passengers, an increase of 5.83% compared with June 2025. The monthly figures suggest that passenger traffic remained on an upward trajectory as demand for international and domestic travel continued to grow.

The latest statistics add to the broader expansion of Morocco’s aviation sector, which has experienced steady growth in recent years through the addition of new air routes, increased airline capacity, and ongoing investments in airport infrastructure. The country’s airports continue to serve as key gateways for tourism, trade, and business travel while supporting connections with Europe, Africa, North America, and other international markets.

With passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and cargo volumes all recording year-on-year increases during the first half of 2026, Morocco’s airport network continued to strengthen its role in supporting the country’s transportation system and international connectivity. The sustained growth across multiple indicators also reflects continued demand for air travel as airports accommodate rising passenger volumes and expanding airline operations.