This evolution concerns the majority of airports that experienced significant increases in passenger traffic compared to 2019, including Tetouan (+459%), Essaouira (+72%), Tangier (+44%), Nador (+36%), Oujda (+31%), Fès-Saiss (+23%) and Agadir (+11%), ONDA pointed out in a press release.
Mohammed V Airport recorded a recovery rate of 84% compared to the same period in 2019, welcoming 6,551,010 passengers, the same source noted, adding that this low recovery rate is due to the drop in the supply of airline seats.
A new record was also recorded for international traffic with 17,582,136 passengers, a 6% increase compared to 2019 and 37% compared to 2022.
This recovery in international traffic was driven by air traffic with Europe, which represents 84% of international air traffic with 14,749,951 passengers served during the first nine months of 2023, representing sustained growth of 13%.
This progress also concerns the North America segment with a growth rate of 6%, reaching 512,430 passengers.
In addition, the first nine months of 2023 were marked by the creation of several new airline routes, including Marrakech-Luxembourg, Oujda-Montpellier, Fez-Weeze, Tangier-Palma de Mallorca, Essaouira-Madrid and Guelmim–Lanzarote.
In light of these performances and forecasts relating to the last three months of 2023 (October-November-December), Moroccan airports expect to beat the historical record for annual traffic which dates back to 2019 (25 million passengers).
