Morocco’s 2021 Air Traffic Approaches 10 Million Passengers

Morocco’s commercial air traffic facilitated the travel of more than 9.9 million passengers in 2021, up 38.9% compared to 2020.

A statement from the National Office of Airports (ONDA) pointed out that Morocco’s “airports experienced an improvement in air traffic” in 2021. ONDA added that “a third of (the new record was) recorded during the period from June 15 to August 31.”

During summer 2021, amid operation “Marhaba 2021,” international air traffic boosted its performance, hosting more than 3.6 million passengers through 31,255 flights.

During 2021’s summer season, with the resumption of international flights coinciding with the launch of operation “Marhaba 2021,” the sector saw  an overall recovery rate of nearly 64.7% compared to the same period of 2019.

Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport welcomed 4,150,015 passengers in 2021, up by 38.4% compared to the year before, the source added. Still the numbers are 59.76% lower compared to 2019. 

The airports of Tetouan, Guélmim, Dakhla, Nador and Tangier recorded the highest recovery rates compared to 2019 , seeing respective increases of 153%, 87%, 76%, 75% and 64%.

ONDA also reported that domestic air traffic recorded 1,582,220 passengers in 2021, increasing by 39.6% compared to 2020.

International air traffic recorded an increase of nearly 38.8% compared to 2020 and down more than 62% compared to 2019, when Morocco’s airports welcomed 8,356,387 passengers.

International air traffic represents 84% of Morocco’s total air traffic.

ONDA cited great performances in the markets of North America, Europe and the Middle and Far East with respective growth of 82.38%, 42.53% and 33.58% compared to 2020.

Air cargo saw a near 14% growth in 2021 compared to 2020, but a fall of more than 27 % compared to 2019. Air cargo volume stood at  nearly 70 thousand tonnes in 2021, compared to 61 thousand tonnes in 2020 and 96 thousand tonnes in 2019.

source: moroccoworldnews.com