2023-06-07 09:41:03
In the first quarter of 2023, the air transport sector recorded 5.9 million passengers, up 5%. Mohammed V airport ranks first, followed by Marrakech and Agadir. Efforts are being made to strengthen air connectivity and open new routes to eight Moroccan destinations and nine outbound markets.
Morocco is experiencing an encouraging tourism recovery, with a significant increase in tourism receipts and an impressive recovery in air traffic. According to the National Airports Office (ONDA), the air transport sector recorded a remarkable recovery in the first months of the year, with a volume of commercial traffic of 5.9 million passengers and 46,313 airport movements in T1 – 2023.
This development represents a 5% increase in passenger traffic and an aircraft movement recovery rate of 96% compared to the same period in 2019.
International air traffic dominates, with an increase of 8% compared to 2019, while domestic traffic recorded an 85% recovery.
Casablanca Mohammed V airport is in the lead, with 2.01 million passengers welcomed, i.e. 90% recovery compared to 2019. It is followed by Marrakech and Agadir airports, which also show double-digit growth rates.
Implementation of axes of the 2021-2026 strategy
As part of the strengthening of air connectivity and the revival of tourism, the “Marhaba” operation, scheduled for this year, should maintain this positive dynamic. Air transport plays an essential role in promoting the tourism sector, and the supervisory ministry is working on the implementation of several areas of development for the period 2021-2026. One of these axes consists in strengthening the position of Mohammed V airport as an air transport hub and improving the Kingdom’s connectivity with the international transport market. This will be made possible through the conclusion of new agreements relating to air transport, as well as the increase in the number of flights on the international routes in operation and the improvement of the quality of services at national airports.
35 new lines planned for 2023
As part of its efforts, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) has facilitated the opening of 35 new routes with 10 airlines for the 2023 summer season. These new routes cover eight national destinations (Agadir, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech, Nador, Ouarzazate, Rabat and Tangier), and concern nine issuing markets (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and United Kingdom). These initiatives aim to attract a greater number of tourists to Morocco, consolidating the upcoming summer season. The country is thus positioning itself as a booming tourist destination, offering new travel and discovery opportunities for international travellers.
Mehdi Idrissi / ECO Inspirations
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