ONDA Reveals $1.3bn Casablanca Terminal Design for 2030 World Cup
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Morocco's ONDA reveals a $1.3bn terminal design for Casablanca airport, boosting capacity to 35M passengers ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- •Targets 35 million annual passenger capacity by 2030.
- •Secures a $1.3 billion (12 billion MAD) budget for construction and a new runway.
- •Integrates with a high-speed rail network to enhance national connectivity.
- •Supports Royal Air Maroc's plan to quadruple its fleet to 200 aircraft.
Morocco’s Office National Des Aéroports (ONDA) has unveiled the design for a new terminal at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), a cornerstone of the country's preparation for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The project, valued at 12 billion Moroccan Dirhams (~$1.3 billion), aims to increase the airport's annual capacity to 35 million passengers.
This expansion is a critical component of Morocco's "Airports 2030" national strategy and directly supports the ambitious growth plans of its flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM). The new terminal is designed not only to handle the influx of visitors for the World Cup but also to establish Casablanca as a premier intercontinental hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, leveraging Morocco's Open Skies agreements with the European Union and the United States.
Project Scope and Design
The contract for this large-scale project has been awarded to a Moroccan consortium comprising Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc (SGTM) and Travaux Généraux de Construction de Casablanca (TGCC). The design, created by the British architecture firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP), features a distinct H-shape spanning 600,000 square meters. RSHP has specified a modular construction system, which relies on prefabricated components to accelerate the building process and ensure the terminal is completed by a strict 2029 deadline. In addition to the terminal, the project includes the construction of a new parallel runway measuring 3,700 meters to accommodate increased air traffic.
Strategic National Importance
The new hub is central to Royal Air Maroc's strategy to quadruple its fleet from 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037. According to Royal Air Maroc CEO Abdelhamid Addou, the expanded hub will enable the airline to "address a gap in north-south activity." The project is a key element of the broader MAD 28 billion "Airports 2030 Strategy," overseen by Morocco's Ministry of Transport and Logistics, which aims to double the country's total airport capacity to 80 million by 2030. Transport Minister Abdessamad Kayouh described the development as a gateway "between Morocco and other countries around the world," while ONDA itself has termed it an "infrastructure revolution."
Intermodal Connectivity and World Cup Deadlines
The 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal, serves as a powerful catalyst for fast-tracking a $2.8 billion national airport upgrade program. A key feature of the Casablanca terminal project is its focus on intermodal transport. The new facility will integrate directly with a high-speed rail extension, connecting it to major cities like Tangier and Marrakech and reducing ground transit times to between 50 and 90 minutes. RSHP Associate Director Jack Evans-Newton highlighted this feature, noting that the rail integration "strengthens national connectivity." This approach aligns with the global trend of creating seamless air-rail links at major international gateways.
Context and Precedents
This model of leveraging a mega-event to accelerate airport infrastructure development has recent precedents. In 2022, Qatar successfully expanded Hamad International Airport to a capacity of 58 million passengers just ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating a similar pattern. The strategy also mirrors the development of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, where a massive new facility is being built in phases to support the extensive fleet expansion of its national carrier, Emirates. Both cases underscore the symbiotic relationship between a growing flag carrier and the development of its hub airport.
What Comes Next
According to ONDA's timeline, site preparation and initial excavation work are expected to be completed by mid-2026. The primary construction phase, managed by SGTM and TGCC, is confirmed to conclude by late 2029. The terminal's official operational launch is scheduled for 2030, ensuring it is fully functional before the start of the FIFA World Cup.
Why This Matters
The development of Casablanca's new terminal is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it represents a strategic move to reposition Morocco as a central player in global aviation. The project solidifies CMN's role as a critical hub for north-south and transatlantic traffic, directly enabling Royal Air Maroc's aggressive expansion plans. For the wider region, it sets a new benchmark for airport capacity and intermodal connectivity in North Africa.
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Written by Hardik Vishwakarma
Co-Founder & Aviation News Editor leading initiatives that improve trust and visibility across the global aviation industry. Covers airlines, airports, safety, and emerging technology.
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