(MARRAKESH) Morocco has moved from planning to building at two of its busiest gateways, awarding major construction contracts to expand Marrakesh Menara and Agadir Al Massira under the national Airports 2030 program. Jet Contractors won the Marrakesh package and SGTM secured the Agadir work, with each project valued at roughly $220 million. The goal is clear: add space and modern systems fast enough to welcome World Cup crowds in 2030 and support long-term tourism growth well beyond that moment.
Project status and scale
The upgrade at Marrakesh Menara will expand the terminal footprint to 142,000 m², alongside new roadways, parking upgrades, landscaped areas, and fountains. Once complete, annual capacity is set to rise from 9 million to 16 million passengers.
Agadir Al Massira is being expanded to 75,000 m², including new access roads and parking, lifting annual capacity from 3 million to 7 million passengers. According to the Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA), both projects are scheduled to finish before 2028.
ONDA Chief Abdelkader Fikri has confirmed the timelines, scope, and funding as part of a wider push to grow Morocco’s aviation system. The Airports 2030 plan, rolled out in February 2025, targets a near tripling of national capacity — from roughly 34 million passengers today to about 80 million by 2030. The program is budgeted at 38 billion dirhams (about $4.2 billion), with work spanning Marrakesh, Agadir, Tangier, Fez, Rabat, and a new international airport planned for Casablanca.
Quick facts at a glance:
– Marrakesh Menara: terminal to 142,000 m²; capacity to 16 million/year; completion before 2028
– Agadir Al Massira: terminal to 75,000 m²; capacity to 7 million/year; completion before 2028
Contract awards followed competitive tenders that drew both local and international builders. Officials highlighted technical strength and price as key selection criteria. ONDA is supervising execution, with regular progress reviews and coordination across ministries to keep schedules on track.
Behind the concrete and steel is a powerful demand story: Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, and the country logged more than 17 million international visitors in 2024. Policymakers aim for 26 million tourists annually by 2030.
ONDA has begun publishing milestones and tender updates for the Airports 2030 program, providing a public record of progress. Readers can follow official notices and construction bulletins via ONDA.
Impact on travelers and the border experience
For travelers, the most visible changes will be larger, brighter halls and more check-in, security, and boarding zones. The biggest differences, however, may be behind the scenes.
Airports 2030 includes electronic gates and biometric passport systems that aim to cut border processing to under 25 minutes. These tools are designed to handle peak-hour waves — especially charter flights and group travel — while keeping families, business travelers, and older passengers moving at a steady pace.
Operational benefits:
– Shorter, more predictable processing times
– Fewer gate delays and faster transfers
– Improved on-time departures
– Phased staff training and testing before each area opens
ONDA’s plan includes staff training and phased testing to help agents, border officers, and ground teams adapt before new facilities open to the public.
Wider human and economic effects
Marrakesh and Agadir are tourism engines; airports feed hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and ride services. As arrivals grow:
– Local job creation increases (construction, airport operations, retail, security)
– Temporary construction roles shift to permanent operational posts as terminals open
– Suppliers of glass, steel, electronics, and furnishings see demand rises
Passenger experience improvements:
– Better wayfinding and clearer layouts reduce crowding at peak times
– Wider corridors and more elevators improve accessibility for mobility-impaired travelers
– Shorter lines ease stress for parents with young children
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, passenger-friendly border tech coupled with improved wayfinding can significantly influence how visitors judge a trip, particularly first-time tourists deciding whether to return.
Airlines are planning around this growth. Royal Air Maroc aims to double its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030, building more links into Europe, Africa, and long-haul markets. Marrakesh Menara’s capacity of 16 million and Agadir Al Massira’s 7 million give carriers room to schedule seasonal peaks and add year-round services, which can lower fares and shorten travel times.
Wider network and timeline
Casablanca sits at the center of Morocco’s aviation map. Key national projects include:
– A new international airport near Casablanca designed as a global hub with capacity up to 40 million passengers
– A planned high-speed rail station linking the new airport, shortening trips to about 50 minutes to Marrakesh and 90 minutes to Tangier
– Expansion of Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, expected to finish in 2029
Regional airport targets:
– Rabat-Salé: expand to 4 million passengers/year
– Fez: expand to 5 million
– Tangier: expand to 3.2 million
– Sania Ramel/Tétouan: expand to 2 million
These increases aim to spread demand, provide more direct entry points to historic cities and resorts, and relieve pressure on major gateways.
IATA’s regional leadership praised the Airports 2030 strategy, noting aviation’s significant role in the economy. Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, highlighted aviation’s 7.9% contribution to national GDP and 68.1% growth over the past decade as indicators that more capacity and better tech can yield broad social and economic gains.
Delivery model, design, and sustainability
Morocco is using a design-build model for major terminals (notably in Casablanca) to streamline timelines and reduce handoff risks between design and construction. Planned design features include:
– Moroccan cultural elements in architecture
– Sustainability measures: energy-efficient systems, water-saving fixtures, shaded outdoor spaces
Officials outline a four-step delivery process:
1. Tendering and Contract Award: open competition; technical and financial bid reviews; award to the most competitive offer
2. Design and Construction: integrated teams finalize plans while early works proceed
3. Implementation and Oversight: ONDA-led supervision; scheduled progress checks with ministries
4. Operational Upgrades: phased deployment of e-gates and biometrics; staff training before opening
Construction impacts and traveler advice
Construction inevitably brings disruptions. ONDA plans to phase works to keep terminals operational, with detours clearly marked and temporary check-in and security points added when needed.
Travelers should:
– Budget extra time during peak hours
– Check their airline’s guidance before arrival
– Follow airport signage closely
In return, passengers can expect progressively better service as each construction phase completes.
Long-term workforce and value creation
Expanded terminals will create demand for frontline roles and technical posts. Key workforce and training implications:
– Growth in training programs (biometric systems, green building maintenance)
– Local contractors gaining expertise transferable to future projects
– Creation of a long-term base of know-how in airport design and operations
The World Cup provides a fixed deadline, but the real test will be sustaining tourism and business travel after 2030. Delivering at speed while maintaining high quality is Morocco’s core challenge.
With primary contracts awarded and construction underway at Marrakesh Menara and Agadir Al Massira, the Airports 2030 agenda has moved from planning into concrete reality.
This Article in a Nutshell
ONDA awarded $220 million contracts to expand Marrakesh Menara and Agadir Al Massira, raising capacities to 16 million and 7 million respectively before 2028 under Airports 2030, which aims for 80 million national passengers by 2030.
