Morocco’s Leading Gateways: Q1 2026 Airline Capacity Analysis of Mohammed V International Airport (CMN/GMMN) and Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK/GMMX)

Introduction

Morocco’s aviation sector continued its strong recovery trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, underpinned by robust passenger growth, expanding airline capacity, and sustained tourism demand. According to the National Airports Office, the country handled 8,913,041 passengers by the end of March 2026, representing an 11.15% year-on-year increase. This growth was accompanied by 67,263 aircraft movements (+11.24%) and 29,846 tonnes of air freight (+13.33%), reflecting a broad-based expansion across passenger and cargo segments.

At the centre of this growth are Morocco’s two primary international gateways—Mohammed V International Airport and Marrakech Menara Airport—which continue to shape the country’s aviation dynamics. While Casablanca has historically served as Morocco’s main hub, Marrakech is increasingly consolidating its position as a high-volume leisure gateway.

In Q1 2026, Mohammed V International Airport handled over 2.7 million passengers, accounting for more than 30% of total national traffic, and recorded nearly 3.0 million available seats (averaging 33,339 seats per day). Meanwhile, Marrakech slightly surpassed Casablanca in capacity, with 3.15 million seats (approximately 34,950 daily seats), marking a notable structural shift in Morocco’s aviation landscape. This trend reflects evolving airline network strategies, with capacity increasingly deployed toward high-demand leisure markets.