Rabat-Salé Airport Expansion Complete: New Terminal & 2030 World Cup Prep
Rabat-Salé Airport Expansion Completed, Poised for 2030 World Cup
The major expansion of Rabat-Salé International Airport is now complete. The new infrastructure is connected to the existing building and benefits from modernized road access from the Rabat-Meknes axis, facilitating smoother traffic flow for travelers to the capital.
The new terminal building spans 69,000 square meters and incorporates state-of-the-art facilities, including six telescopic boarding bridges allowing direct passenger access to aircraft, and efficient jet fuel supply systems meeting the demands of major global hubs. The exterior landscaping features tree-lined pathways and carefully designed lighting.
This project is a cornerstone of the “Rabat, City of Light” program, aiming to fundamentally transform the region’s transport infrastructure. The completion of the work ends a complex process marked by the withdrawal of an initial contractor in 2022.
The modernization will significantly increase the number of direct flight routes, with new air links planned to several European and Arab capitals, strengthening the Kingdom’s connectivity and its economic and tourism appeal internationally.
The project is part of Morocco’s national strategy in preparation for the 2030 World Cup. It is financed by the National Airports Office (ONDA) with support from the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency, consolidating the country’s position as a major logistics hub.
According to reports, the platform is now ready for inauguration by King Mohammed VI, offering services including six telescopic boarding bridges and a two-level car park with 1,300 spaces. The expansion is expected to quadruple the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 1.5 million to 4 million.
The completion of the Rabat-Salé airport expansion is part of a larger, MAD 38 billion (approximately $4.2 billion USD) investment plan to modernize Morocco’s principal airports, including Casablanca Mohammed V International, Marrakech Menara, Tangier Ibn Battuta, and Agadir Al Massira. This broader initiative aims to accommodate surging tourism, strengthen regional mobility, and meet international standards as Morocco co-hosts the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco anticipates record-breaking tourist inflows—estimated at over 20 million visitors annually by 2030, many of whom will arrive for the World Cup. The modernization plans include doubling passenger capacity at Casablanca and Marrakech airports, upgrading terminals and runways, and adopting smart airport technology such as biometric boarding and AI-powered traffic control.
The ‘Airports 2030’ strategy, presented by the director general of ONDA, Adel El Fakir, focuses on infrastructure development, improving customer experience, and transforming the National Airports Office itself. The strategy aims to keep pace with the country’s development dynamics and prepare the air sector for the challenges of the next five years.
The Moroccan National Airports Office aims to reach 90 million passengers in its airports by 2035, and is planning to transform Casablanca Mohammed V airport into an intercontinental hub connecting Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.