Marrakech prepares for the 2030 World Cup with a new international airport
The 2030 World Cup will not only bring football to Morocco, but also a historic transformation of its airport infrastructure. In this regard, several sources have confirmed to Rue20 the construction of a new international airport in Marrakech, which will become a key element in managing the flow of travellers expected for this global event.
The new airport will be located in the Sidi Zouine area, adjacent to the Marrakech-Agadir road and close to the route that leads to Chichaoua. This project, which forms part of the ‘Airports 2030’ strategy, aims to increase the city's airport capacity to 14 million passengers a year, responding to the growing demand for tourism and the need to modernise the current infrastructure.
With the inauguration of this new terminal, the current Marrakech Menara Airport will be used exclusively for domestic flights and private aircraft, which will alleviate the saturation that has generated long queues and waits shared by tourists on social networks.
The connection with the high-speed train (TGV) is another fundamental pillar of the project. Marrakech will have two stations for this modern means of transport: one opposite the Grand Stadium of Marrakech and another at the new airport, facilitating the mobility of travellers and consolidating the city as a key connection node.
This ambitious plan is part of the new ‘Airports 2030’ strategy, recently announced by Adel El Fakir, Director General of the National Airports Office. The strategy aims to modernise airport infrastructure, improve the customer experience and align the Moroccan airport system with the most demanding international standards.
The project has the backing of various national institutions, such as the General Directorate of National Security, the Royal Gendarmerie and the Customs Administration, as well as the Ministries of the Interior and Transport and Logistics. Together, these actors are working to transform Moroccan airports into strategic centres that will boost the country's economic and tourist development.
The 2030 World Cup will not only be a celebration of football, but also the catalyst for a new era for Marrakech, consolidating it as a global tourist destination and a city at the forefront of international mobility and connectivity.