By 2030, Morocco plans to increase its airport’s capacity to 80 million passengers

Morocco intends to prepare for the FIFA World Cup by increasing the airport’s capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030.

During a parliamentary session, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco announced intentions to increase the airport’s capacity from the current 38 million passengers to 80 million by 2030.

Along with a larger attempt to increase tourism and update infrastructure, the plan is a component of the nation’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

Plans to Expand the Airport

The project’s main goal is to expand important airports to accommodate the growing demand for passengers:

The Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca will be able to handle 23.3 million passengers.

The capacity of the well-known travel destinations Agadir and Marrakech will be increased to 6.3 million and 14 million passengers, respectively.

The improvements follow record-breaking tourism numbers. Morocco received 15.9 million tourists in the first 11 months of 2024, more than all of the previous year’s arrivals combined. Morocco’s growing popularity as a tourism destination worldwide and the expansion of aviation links have both contributed to this growth.

Morocco is expanding its network of high-speed trains in tandem with its airport improvements. In time for the World Cup, the rail system will run south to Marrakech, and then on to Agadir. Morocco’s national rail operator intends to treble its network by 2040, bringing service to 43 cities, which accounts for 87% of the country’s population.
Morocco has pledged to upgrade and expand its sporting facilities in time for the 2030 World Cup. Plans consist of:

45 stadiums and training facilities in six host towns will be renovated.
the building of a brand-new stadium with 115,000 seats close to Casablanca, which is expected to become a historic athletic site.

It is estimated that these investments might cost up to $500 million, or 5 billion dirhams.

There are other high-profile competitions in Morocco besides the 2030 World Cup. Additionally, the nation will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), demonstrating its increasing clout in international sports.

The declaration by Prime Minister Akhannouch highlights Morocco’s strategic emphasis on using athletic events to boost infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, and establish the country as a top travel and international events destination.

With these ambitious initiatives, Morocco is investing in long-term development that will benefit both its residents and tourists, in addition to being ready for a great World Cup.