Morocco unveils $1.6 billion expansion of Casablanca Airport ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup
The National Airports Authority (ONDA) has launched two international calls for expressions of interest for the construction of a new terminal at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, which is set to become Morocco's main gateway as the country prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. The objective is to boost the airport's annual passenger capacity from 15 million to 35 million by 2030.
With an estimated budget of 15 billion dirhams (approximately $1.6 billion), the state-of-the-art terminal—scheduled for completion by the end of 2029—will accommodate an additional 20 million passengers annually. It will reinforce Casablanca's strategic role as an intercontinental hub linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, while also supporting the growth of Royal Air Maroc.
The project is part of ONDA's «Airports 2030» strategy, which aims to modernize Morocco's airport infrastructure by developing smarter, more sustainable, and better-connected platforms. The new terminal will feature cutting-edge innovations in passenger flow management, energy efficiency, climate resilience, and operational performance. It will also be integrated into the high-speed rail network, enabling travel to Rabat in 30 minutes and to Marrakech in under an hour.
To carry out this flagship project, ONDA is launching two international calls for expressions of interest:
– One for a Program Manager, responsible for overseeing the entire project (terminal, runways, and ancillary areas) and coordinating among various stakeholders;
– Another for a builder or consortium, tasked with detailed engineering and terminal construction, including the integration of systems provided by third parties.
Through this major initiative, Morocco reaffirms its ambition to position air transport as a key driver of economic growth, tourism development, and regional influence.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc Sets Sights on 200-Strong Fleet by 2037
Rabat – Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is charting an ambitious course for growth, adding new aircraft and preparing for a major transformation of its global reach. The national carrier recently welcomed three Boeing 787 Dreamliners over just two days, on top of two new planes delivered earlier this year. This brings the total number of new aircraft for 2025 to five. Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh shared the update during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, June 3. He said RAM plans to acquire ten more aircraft before the end of the year and another ten in 2026. Each new Dreamliner holds 302 passengers – a capacity that signals the airline's steady push to meet growing demand. But the airline's ambitions stretch far beyond short-term additions. A major call for tenders will soon be launched to purchase 188 additional aircraft. The move forms part of a long-term agreement between the Moroccan state and RAM, covering 2023 to 2037. By the end of this roadmap, the airline aims to expand its fleet from 50 to 200 planes. At the heart of this strategy lies a sharp increase in passenger numbers. RAM intends to move from transporting six million passengers annually to 31 million by 2037. The company also projects its revenue to rise from MAD 15.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to MAD 100 billion ($10.4 billion) within the same timeframe. To support this shift, the airline will broaden its international footprint. From 99 destinations in 2023, RAM looks to reach 130 cities in the coming years. The plan reflects a clear ambition to establish RAM as a serious player among global carriers. Kayouh also recalled a recent partnership with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Under this agreement, RAM will serve as the official airline for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Direct flights will connect continents, positioning Morocco as a gateway between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Meanwhile, the government also wants to strengthen air travel inside the country. More domestic routes are set to open, in order to boost local tourism and make Morocco's regions more accessible to both residents and visitors. Tags: economyMorocco fleetplanesRAMRoyal Air Maroc
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Back from Morocco, Lammy confirms UK's endorsement of autonomy plan to Parliament
Following his recent visit to Rabat, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy updated the the Parliament on the UK's «deepening partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco» and its new position on the Western Sahara issue. «While in Morocco, I announced the UK's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a solution to the conflict», Lammy stated, in a message shared, Tuesday, by Ray Collins, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa. «In parallel, I welcomed Morocco's willingness, outlined in our joint communiqué, to engage in good faith with all relevant parties and provide further details on what autonomy could entail, with a view to restarting serious negotiations», he added in his address to Parliament. Lammy emphasized that, through this position, the UK government is «advancing regional security, stability and prosperity by supporting efforts to resolve the longstanding Western Sahara conflict, which has persisted for nearly five decades». The conflict, he noted, has «undermined regional stability and hindered economic development, particularly affecting Sahrawi refugees residing in the Tindouf camps». Referring to a «renewed international engagement», Lammy said this creates «a window of opportunity to shift the dial on this intractable conflict and support the parties and the UN in reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution». He also stressed that by backing the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, his office is «redoubling its efforts to help realise this opportunity». A UK-Morocco trade partnership In addition to the Western Sahara issue, Lammy's visit also focused on strengthening the UK-Morocco partnership across a range of shared priorities. He noted that the bilateral trade relationship between London and Rabat exceeds £4 billion annually—a partnership that should be further reinforced to «advance mutual goals in security, prosperity, and sustainable development—delivering tangible benefits for British businesses and supporting the Government's Plan for Change to boost economic growth». Lammy highlighted a series of partnership agreements signed during his Sunday visit, which he said are opening «opportunities for UK businesses across a range of sectors, including access to public procurement markets in Morocco, where opportunities are estimated to be worth approximately £33 billion over the next three years». He also referred to a government-to-government partnership signed with Morocco that allows British companies to compete for contracts linked to Morocco's infrastructure development ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, he announced enhanced cooperation on migration and counterterrorism, as well as joint initiatives to address water scarcity and climate change.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
UK commits to supporting Morocco's 2030 World Cup hosting in new MoU
Morocco and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in Salé to support the organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The agreement, signed by Fouzi Lekjaa, Moroccan Minister Delegate for the Budget, and David Lammy, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, marks a new milestone in the dynamic cooperation between the two countries in sports, infrastructure, and economic development. Through the MoU, the UK commits to mobilizing its technical expertise, business ecosystem, and support capabilities to contribute to the success of this major international event. Both countries agreed to collaborate closely on a wide range of initiatives, particularly in the areas of stadium development, transport infrastructure, and services related to the management of international sporting events. This shared commitment reflects a common ambition: to make the 2030 World Cup a success on all fronts — sporting, logistical, and human — while creating economic opportunities and building sustainable partnerships grounded in the universal values of solidarity, excellence, and inclusion.
