Morocco Aims to Triple Capacity at Busiest Airport

Morocco is seeking contractors in an effort to construct a new terminal at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport.

The Moroccan National Airports Office (ONDA) last month formally launched an international tender for the project, which it said marks a milestone for its “Airports 2030” strategy, a long-term vision to transform Morocco’s aviation infrastructure and establish it as a regional and global hub.

With a planned investment of approximately $1.6 billion, the terminal is set to triple the airport’s annual capacity to 20 million passengers by 2029. Designed in the shape of an “H,” it draws architectural inspiration from the Atlantic Ocean’s waves and incorporates Moroccan cultural elements, such as terracotta zellige tiles and shaded “oasis” spaces intended to elevate the passenger experience.

ONDA described the project as “a real technical feat and an architectural masterpiece.”

One key element will be the terminal’s integration with the country’s expanding high-speed rail network. The facility will link directly to the Kenitra–Marrakech line, enabling travel to major cities including Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech. The connectivity is expected to boost tourism and economic growth as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

New Vision

To kick off the project, ONDA issued an initial tender for earthworks, with the main construction contract offered under a “design-build” model. Bids are due by May 16, 2025 at 4 p.m. Interest from both domestic and international firms is strong, with companies such as TGCC, SGTM, Jet Contractors, Bouygues, VINCI, and TAV reportedly considering participation.

The expansion effort is a response to a surge in air travel demand. In 2023, Mohammed V Airport handled 9.8 million passengers, a 28% increase from the previous year.

Once the new terminal is completed, the airport will rank among Africa’s largest.

For context, Cairo International Airport, currently the continent’s busiest, handled 27.7 million passengers in 2024, with plans to boost capacity to 30 million by 2030. Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, designed to handle 28 million annually, processed 17.85 million passengers during the 2023–24 fiscal year.

The planned new terminal in Casablanca is part of a broader national push under the “Airports 2030” strategy, centered on three pillars: infrastructure development, reimagined passenger experience, and structural modernization. Other airports earmarked for upgrades include Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez. Marrakech Airport will see its capacity increase from 9 to 11.5 million passengers, Tangier from 1 to 3.2 million, and Agadir from 3 to 4.4 million.

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Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

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