Morocco launches tender for $1.6 bln terminal in Casablanca airport

Morocco has officially issued an expression of interest to build a new terminal worth 1.6 billion dollars that would increase capacity at the Casablanca airport from 15 million currently to 35 million by 2029,Moroccan airports agency ONDA said.

ONDA seeks bidders to build the terminal and related infrastructure as part of its 2030 expansion plan that will prepare its airports to handle an increasing number of travellers in the run up to the 2030 World Cup.

The new hub will be served by the high-speed train that will connect Kenitra to Dakhla and will have state-of-the-art service and technology.

The new terminal will also include a new parallel runway measuring 3700 meters by 45 meters,along with its taxiways and associated aeronautical infrastructure; aircraft parking areas; and a new control tower approximately 42 meters high,ONDA said.

Casablanca airport is expected to hit full capacity of 14 million passengers by 2027,ONDA said in March.

Casablanca is planned to serve as a regional hub serving Africa,in tandem with the growth in Moroccan airlines RAM’s fleet and routes. RAM plans to increase its fleet from 56 to 200 by 2037,with a mid-term goal of having 107 aircrafts by 2030.

ONDA plans to increase capacity in Casablanca to 35 million travelers by 2029,one year ahead of the World Cup Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The second largest airport in the country,Marrakech,is already operating above full capacity at 9.3 million passengers. It is planned to be expanded to 9.3 million by 2028,according to ONDA.

Agadir airport’s capacity will grow from 2.5 million to 7 million,while Tangier will also be expanded from 2 million to 7 million all in 2028.

Fez and Rabat,each with 2 million capacity,will be enlarged to handle 5 million passengers each by 2028 and 2025b respectively.

Besides air traffic,Morocco is preparing its railways to host the World Cup connecting Marrakech to the high-speed train.

It is also in the process of acquiring 7000 urban buses and upgrading its hotel infrastructure.

Morocco is also building the World’s largest stadium with a capacity of 115,000 seats near Casablanca as works are underway to upgrade the five stadiums to host the global tournament.