Morocco, a North African country with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, boasts excellent international connectivity through its network of airports. Among these, Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca stands out as the busiest and most significant.
Mohammed V International Airport: Casablanca's Gateway
Mohammed V International Airport (IATA: CMN, ICAO: GMMN) serves Casablanca, Morocco. With approximately 7.6 million passengers in 2022, it was the busiest airport in Morocco and among the top 10 busiest in Africa.
Passenger traffic in 2022 had recovered to 74% of the total pre-pandemic numbers of 2019. The airport serves as a hub for Royal Air Maroc, Royal Air Maroc Express, and Air Arabia Maroc.
Historical Significance
The Casablanca Mohammed V Airport was originally built by the United States in early 1943 following Operation Torch in World War II. It was named Berrechid Airfield and it served as an auxiliary airfield for Casablanca's Anfa Airport. The airfield handled diverse military traffic as a stopover en route to Port Lyautey Airfield, and to Marrakech Airport on the North African Cairo-Dakar route.
In addition to its transportation role, the airfield supported the North African Campaign with the Twelfth Air Force 68th Reconnaissance Group operating photo-reconnaissance versions of the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang. Part of the 68th first arrived at Angads Airport in Oujda in November 1942 and moved to Berrechid in March 1943 upon its completion. It flew both antisubmarine missions over the Atlantic and photo-reconnaissance combat missions over German-held territory until early September when it moved east to Massicault Airfield in Tunisia.
Read also: Guide to Morocco's Airports
During the Cold War in the early and middle 1950s, the airfield was reopened as Nouasseur Air Base and was used as a United States Air Force Strategic Air Command staging area for B-47 Stratojet bombers pointed at the Soviet Union. With the destabilisation of French government in Morocco, and Moroccan independence in 1956, the government of Mohammed V wanted the US Air Force to pull its bases out of Morocco, insisting on such action after American intervention in Lebanon in 1958. The United States agreed to leave in December 1959, and was fully out of Morocco by 1963.
Royal Air Maroc Dreamliner at Casablanca Airport
Expansion Plans
In May 2025 Morocco’s airports authority Moroccan Airports Authority launched an international tender to build a new H-shaped terminal at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca at an estimated cost of US $1.6 billion. The terminal, designed in a “hub-style”, will increase capacity from roughly 15 million to 35 million passengers per year.
Incidents
On 1 April 1970, a Royal Air Maroc Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle crashed on approach to Casablanca Mohammed V airport when it lost control at a height of about 500 feet. The fuselage broke in two.
Journey from Casablanca Airport, Morocco to Incheon Airport, Korea 모로코 카사블랑카 공항에서 한국 인천 공항까지 여정
Other Key Airports in Morocco
While Mohammed V International Airport is the primary hub, Morocco has several other important airports:
- Marrakech Menara Airport
- Fes-Saïs Airport
- Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport
- Agadir-Al Massira Airport
- Ouarzazate Airport (gateway to the desert)
Airlines and Destinations
Several airlines operate from Mohammed V International Airport, connecting Casablanca to various destinations worldwide. These include:
Read also: Tangier's Luxurious Villa Josephine
- Royal Air Maroc: The national carrier, serving destinations across Africa, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
- Air Arabia Maroc: A low-cost carrier with a focus on European and regional destinations.
- Other International Airlines: Including Air France, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and more.
Here's a glimpse of some destinations served by airlines operating from Casablanca:
- Africa: Dakar, Abidjan, Bamako, Accra, Lagos, Luanda, Praia, Sal.
- Europe: Paris, Madrid, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, Barcelona.
- Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Cairo.
- North America: New York, Montreal, Washington.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and destinations may vary depending on the season and airline schedules.
Cargo Services
Mohammed V International Airport also handles cargo operations, with several airlines providing freight services. These include:
- Royal Air Maroc Cargo
- Turkish Cargo
- Lufthansa Cargo
These services connect Morocco to global trade networks, facilitating the import and export of goods.
Airport Statistics
The following table illustrates passenger statistics for Mohammed V International Airport over the years:
Read also: Argan Oil for Hair
| Year | Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5,842,394 |
| 2022 | 7,600,000 |
These figures demonstrate the airport's consistent growth and its importance as a regional aviation hub.
Morocco's airports, particularly Mohammed V International Airport, play a crucial role in connecting the country to the world, supporting tourism, trade, and economic development. With ongoing expansion plans and a strategic location, Casablanca's airport is poised to remain a key player in African aviation.
Popular articles:
tags: #Morocco
