Morocco plans to increase its airport capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030, up from the current 38 million, as announced by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch during a parliamentary session.
This initiative is part of the country’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, and is also aimed at boosting tourism and modernizing infrastructure.
A key element of the project is the expansion of major airports to accommodate growing passenger numbers.
Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport will increase its capacity to 23.3 million passengers.
Meanwhile, the popular tourist destinations of Marrakech and Agadir will see their capacities rise to 14 million and 6.3 million passengers, respectively.
The upgrades follow a surge in tourism, with Morocco welcoming 15.9 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2024, surpassing the total for the entire previous year. This growth is driven by an expansion of air routes and Morocco’s growing appeal as a global travel destination.
In addition to airport upgrades, Morocco is fast-tracking the expansion of its high-speed train network.
The rail system will extend to Marrakech in time for the World Cup, with plans to later reach Agadir.
By 2040, Morocco’s national rail operator aims to double its network, connecting 43 cities and serving 87% of the population.
Ahead of the 2030 World Cup, Morocco is investing in expanding and modernizing its sports infrastructure.
Plans include renovating 45 stadiums and training facilities across six host cities, along with building a new 115,000-seat stadium near Casablanca, set to be a major sporting landmark.
These upgrades are expected to cost up to 5 billion dirhams ($500 million).
Morocco’s influence on the global sports stage is further highlighted by its role as the host of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, in addition to co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.
