On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, King Mohammed VI inaugurated the expansion, upgrading and modernization project of Mohamed Vth international airport terminal building 1 with an investment worth 1.585 billion dirhams.
On this occasion, King Mohammed VI launched the operation of the new national center for regional control of air safety in Agadir, as well as the new air terminals at the airports of Guelmim, Zagoura and Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif, achieved by the National Airport Authority (ONDA)with an overall budget of 647.73 million dirhams.
These projects are pursuant to the high royal guidelines aimed at providing the Kingdom´s various cities with modern airport facilities that meet international standards and are capable of keeping pace with the steady growth of passenger traffic, which reflects positively on their respective areas keeping pace with their socio-economic and tourism take off.
It is also part of the strategy of the National Airport Authority in order to increase the capacity of regional airports and to bring them into conformity with international standards in the areas of air traffic, air navigation security, airport security and quality of services.
Thus, the expansion, upgrading and modernization of Casablanca Mohamed V terminal Building 1 which acts as a hub linking at the regional and African level, increases the overall capacity of the airport, to 14 million passengers annually. The new air terminal is also an important platform to impart dynamism to the economic and financial activities of the Kingdom´s economic capital, particularly Casablanca´s financial hub.
The new 76,000-square-meter Air Terminal, which will accommodate and handle an annual 7 million passengers, will include 8 parking positions, three of them for large-sized aircrafts and one dedicated for Airbus 380 planes.
The new air terminal, which will be dedicated to the activities of Royal Air Maroc and its partners, has all the necessary equipment that meets international specifications and standards in the areas of security, safety and quality of service.
It is also equipped with automatic self-registration devices that enable passengers to perform self and luggage checking, as well as equipment to ensure streamlined passenger flows (mobile platforms, automatic doors, mechanical drawers and elevators) as well as clear signs and 9 air passenger bridges, one of them to accommodate Airbus 380 aircraft.
Terminal building 1 includes a transit area for domestic and international flights, as well as offices for Mohammed V Solidarity Foundation, dedicated to providing guidance and assistance to Moroccans living abroad, banking and foreign exchange offices, walk through concept shopping stores, restaurants and rest areas for travelers, as well as places for worship, and other dedicated to children.
The expansion work included upgrading, including pedestrian paths within the green spaces located outside the airport, a two levels parking lot with a total capacity of 2075 cars, a drop off area. This project was carried out and self-funded by the National Airport Authority, thanks to the contribution of 25 national contractors and 6 foreign corporations.
On this occasion, King Mohammed VI launched the operation of the new regional air navigation safety control national center in Agadir, which will enable to activate decentralized air traffic control and increase the capacity of Moroccan airspace in terms of aircraft movements.
It is expected that this new national monitoring center, in addition to the existing one in Casablanca, inaugurated by His Majesty the King on 14 December 2007, will be able to reduce the risk of disruption in case the National Center of Casablanca is unavailable.
The new center (MAD 186.10 million), covering a total area of ??3 hectares, is located close to the Agadir Al Massira Airport, which is equipped with modern infrastructure and new generation technology equipment, similar to the Casablanca Center, to ensure the safety of aircraft crossing the Moroccan airspace .
His Majesty the King also oversaw the launching of new projects for the new air terminals for the airports of Guelmim (AED 273.5 million), Zagora (106.03 million dirhams) and Errachidia Moulay Ali Cherif (82.10 million dirhams).
Guelmim airport terminal building modernization project included the construction of a new terminal building with a surface area of ??7,000 square meters, and annual capacity of 700,000 passengers, the construction of a 2000 square meters surface area dedicated to administrative and technical buildings, the expansion and rehabilitation of the aircraft movement area, and building an aircraft parking stand able to accommodate 4 medium-sized aircraft.
This project is fully integrated into the development model of the southern provinces, which aims to provide the region with modern infrastructure. As for the Zagora airport development project, it included the construction of a new terminal building with a capacity of 250,000 passengers per year, the construction of a control tower, Increase the length and width of the runway, and expand and strengthen the aircraft parking area.
Errachidia´s airport modernization project provided on its part the construction of a new terminal building with a total surface area of ??3500 square meters, and a capacity of 300 thousand passengers per year, and on this basis contribute to boost the tourism activity in the region.
The project included, in particular, the rehabilitation and expansion of the road leading to the airport, the building of a parking lot with a capacity of 375 cars, as well as strengthening the fence surrounding the airport buildings and watchtowers.
All these new projects, besides the other projects that His Majesty King Mohammed VI has inaugurated (the new terminal buildings at Marrakech Menara airport and Fez Saiss) or launched its construction (the Rabat Sale new terminal building) will contribute to strengthen the national airports network and increase its capacity, as well as secure Moroccan airspace.