HIBAPRESS – By Abdellatif Baraka
Agadir Al-Massira Airport is set to become one of the most prominent national airports by the end of this decade, within the framework of the "Airports 2030" strategy launched by the National Airports Office to enhance the Kingdom's air infrastructure.
Recent data indicates tangible development in air traffic and expansion works at this southern air gateway, which enhances the prospects of transforming it into an important regional hub in North Africa. In 2024, the airport exceeded the threshold of 2.8 million passengers by the end of November, an increase of 36% compared to the previous year, recording more than 19,620 flight movements to and from Agadir, reflecting increasing demand for the destination from both international and local passengers. In response to this growth, an ambitious expansion project worth approximately 2.2 billion dirhams was launched, awarded by the governmental authorities to SGTM, and includes increasing the terminal area to 75,000 square meters and increasing the annual capacity from about 3 million passengers to 7 million. This plan is not limited to expansion only, but extends to improve the general infrastructure, from air control systems to ground facilities and roads surrounding the airport, allowing for facilitating movement and diversifying destinations, especially during peak tourist seasons. These projects also come in the context of Morocco's preparations to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will attract large numbers of visitors through several national airports. Nationally, the "Airports 2030" program aims to increase the capacity of all Moroccan airports from about 34 million passengers annually to 80 million by 2030, an indicator of the sector's great ambition to enhance international and local connectivity. If these projects proceed according to the scheduled timelines and investment costs, Agadir Al-Massira Airport is qualified to be one of the largest airports in Morocco in terms of traffic and operational capabilities, and enhances the position of Agadir as a pivotal tourism and air hub in the center of the Kingdom.
