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Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONCF Launches Special Summer Transport Plan to Serve Millions of Travelers
Marrakech – The National Railway Office (ONCF) has implemented a special 'Summer 2025' plan to accommodate the increased passenger traffic expected during the summer season. The comprehensive program, running from June 23 to September 14, aims to ensure a smooth, comfortable, and accessible travel experience for domestic travelers, Moroccan residents abroad (MRE), and tourists across the national rail network. To meet the growing mobility demands during summer, ONCF will operate up to 237 trains daily. The Al Boraq high-speed network will maintain hourly service between Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat, and Casablanca from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with increased capacity during peak times. The Al Atlas network will provide up to 70 intercity trains daily, including night services for long-distance travel on the Tangier-Oujda route. Night trains equipped with hotel-style compartments will ensure optimal comfort for overnight journeys. Regional connections will see increased service to Mohammed V Airport with 38 daily trains from Casablanca, running hourly from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Casablanca-Rabat-Kenitra, Casablanca-Settat, and Casablanca-El Jadida routes will also benefit from reinforced service, with the El Jadida line reaching up to 24 trains per day. ONCF is introducing several attractive summer offers to make train travel more accessible. The Yalla Morocco card, available until August 31 for MAD 50 ($5), offers a 30% discount on 10 journeys to any destination and train category. Returning Moroccan expatriates can take advantage of the Ahlan rate, providing a 15% discount on one-way train tickets departing from Mohammed V Airport, Tangier, and Marrakech stations between June 23 and September 15. For commuters, any three-month Navette subscription purchase includes three free round-trip tickets usable on Al Boraq, Al Atlas, or TNR trains. Train passengers can also enjoy discounts of up to 40% from partners, including the Rabat Zoo, the National Museum Foundation, and the Train + Auto service, upon presenting their train tickets. ONCF continues to modernize its services with the 'ONCF VOYAGES' mobile application, allowing users to purchase tickets online, choose seats, and access a personalized space. A 5% discount is offered for all purchases made through this application. Throughout the summer, ONCF staff will be fully mobilized to assist travelers both at stations and onboard trains. Technical teams will be on alert 24/7 to ensure smooth traffic flow and respond efficiently to user needs. The company says travelers can purchase tickets through multiple channels, including station ticket windows, automated ticket machines, the ONCF website, and through retail partners. Railway sector growth and future plans This summer plan comes as ONCF expects a record-breaking 2025, with revenue projected to exceed MAD 5 billion ($500 million), a 6% increase from 2024. Last year closed with exceptional growth, carrying more than 55 million passengers, a 4% increase from the previous year. The high-speed Al Boraq service demonstrated continued appeal with more than 5.5 million passengers transported in 2024, representing a 5% growth compared to 2023. Freight activity also performed exceptionally well despite international economic disruptions, with 20 million tons of goods transported, a 17% increase from 2023. In a historic development, King Mohammed VI launched construction work on the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line on April 24. The 430-kilometer project will drastically reduce travel times, allowing journeys from Tangier to Marrakech in just 2 hours 40 minutes, saving over two hours compared to current durations. Looking ahead, ONCF has awarded three contracts worth MAD 29 billion ($2.9 billion) for the acquisition of 168 new-generation trains. These contracts have been distributed to international companies: Alstom for 18 high-speed trains, CAF for 40 intercity trains, and Hyundai Rotem for 110 RER (rapid transit) trains. This ambitious program aims to modernize ONCF's fleet, support projected growth in rail traffic, and advance development projects planned for 2030. These projects also include developing RER networks in major regions of the country, partly in preparation for the 2030 World Cup that Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Tags: Morocco's National Railway Office (ONCF)ONCF
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
28 global companies express interest in $1.5bln Casablanca airport expansion
A total of 28 international companies have expressed interest in the expansion project for the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca Local Arabic language news website said expressions of interest were received from 4 local companies, 14 Chinese companies, 5 Turkish companies, and 1 company each from Spain, Egypt, India, Greece, and Switzerland. EOI was issued by Morocco's National Airports Office (ONDA) for the construction of a new terminal area at Mohammed V Airport. The report said the planned new terminal will cover 450,000 square metres (sqm) with an annual capacity of 20 million passengers. It will also include: • A new 3,700-metre parallel runway, 45 metres wide • Associated taxiways and airside infrastructure • A 42-metre-high air traffic control tower • Expanded aircraft parking stands • A hotel The estimated investment cost of the project is 15 billion Moroccan dirhams (approximately $1.5 billion) with completion scheduled for 2029 in time for the FIFA World Cup, which the North African country is co-hosting alongside Spain and Portugal in 2030. The new terminal will be integrated with the national high-speed rail network connecting Kenitra to Marrakech. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Ya Biladi
25-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
King Mohammed VI launches 96-billion-dirham Kenitra–Marrakech rail project
A new chapter is unfolding for Morocco's railway network. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, King Mohammed VI officially kicked off construction of the future high-speed rail line (LGV) linking Kenitra to Marrakech, from Rabat-Agdal station. Spanning approximately 430 kilometers, this flagship infrastructure project is part of an ambitious national railway program valued at 96 billion dirhams. Its aim: to modernize Morocco's rail network and promote a more sustainable and inclusive model of mobility. This landmark project reaffirms Morocco's commitment to expanding its high-speed rail services, building on the success of the Tangier–Casablanca line while incorporating strong environmental considerations. It aligns with the Kingdom's broader sustainable development strategy and its push for low-carbon transport solutions. Shorter travel times and a new urban dynamic The new line will link several of Morocco's major cities—Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech—while also connecting Rabat and Casablanca airports. The time savings are substantial: just 1 hour between Tangier and Rabat, 1 hour 40 minutes to Casablanca, and 2 hours 40 minutes to Marrakech. Rabat will also be connected to Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport in just 35 minutes, with a planned stop at the new Benslimane stadium. A high-speed service between Fès and Marrakech will also be introduced, combining conventional and high-speed lines, with a total travel time of around 3 hours 40 minutes. Designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, the project will also involve new developments at terminal hubs in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, including new high-speed and local stations and a maintenance center in Marrakech for servicing the trains. Beyond the LGV extension, the project is part of a broader plan to modernize rail services, including the purchase of 168 new trains for a total of 29 billion dirhams. The goal is to renew the ONCF's fleet, support the rollout of new routes, improve efficiency, and meet the expected surge in demand by 2030. The procurement plan includes : - 18 high-speed trains for the extended LGV network, - 40 trains for traditional intercity routes, - 60 regional rapid transit trains (TNR), - 50 units for urban transport in Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. At the same time, the LGV extension will free up capacity on the conventional network, making way for a new metropolitan commuter train service (TMP) to address urban mobility needs in these three major hubs. This service will stand out for its reliability, frequency, and eco-friendly approach. Building a national industrial ecosystem around rail This major program also serves as a catalyst for developing a genuine railway industry in Morocco. Plans are underway to establish a train manufacturing facility in the country, supported by a network of local suppliers and subcontractors. The goal is to achieve a local integration rate of over 40%. A joint venture between the ONCF and its industrial partners will be set up to handle ongoing and large-scale train maintenance. This will help control costs, enable knowledge transfer, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while training a new generation of specialized workers over the next decade. The project brings together leading global rail manufacturers. French company Alstom will supply the high-speed trains, Spanish firm CAF will provide intercity trains (up to 200 km/h), and South Korea's Hyundai Rotem will supply trains for the metropolitan networks. These partnerships fall under a preferential financing framework, reflecting international investors' confidence in Morocco's railway vision. With this new milestone, Morocco reinforces its role as a pioneer of high-speed rail in Africa and strengthens its ambition to build a more connected, sustainable, and competitive future.
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Airports 2030: Morocco Launches $2.8 Billion Aviation Program
Doha – Morocco has launched a MAD 28 billion ($2.8 billion) investment program as part of its 'Airports 2030' vision, aiming to more than double passenger capacity to 80 million by 2030, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh announced on Monday in Rabat. The ambitious plan includes the construction of a new Casablanca airport on 800 hectares adjacent to the existing Mohammed V Airport. The new facility will single-handedly accommodate 40 million passengers and connect Morocco with long-haul destinations requiring over 8 hours of flight time. 'This program consists primarily of building a new airport in Casablanca, following Royal directives, to serve as a gateway between Morocco and other countries around the world, particularly distant destinations,' Kayouh told the Chamber of Representatives during a question session. The new Casablanca airport will be integrated with high-speed rail connections, allowing travelers to reach Marrakech in 50 minutes and Tanger in 90 minutes. These enhancements align with plans to double Royal Air Maroc's fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft by 2030. Beyond Casablanca, several regional airports will undergo major expansion. The Rabat-Salé Airport will increase capacity to 4 million passengers, the Fez Airport to 5 million, and the Sania Ramel Airport to 2 million. Moroccan airports handled over 34 million passengers in 2024, a figure expected to more than double under the 2030 vision. The plan prioritizes airports in FIFA World Cup 2030 host cities – Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger, Marrakech, and Agadir – but will extend to neighboring areas to promote economic development and social cohesion. 'These expansion efforts will not be limited to World Cup host cities but will include neighboring towns to achieve economic development and socio-economic cohesion,' Kayouh said. The minister detailed several measures already implemented to improve passenger experience, including the elimination of scanners and reduction of airport transit times to under 25 minutes. Future enhancements will incorporate electronic gates and biometric passports. Nationwide transport upgrade On the rail front, Kayouh revealed that the National Office of Railways (ONCF) is advancing studies for the Marrakech-Agadir high-speed line, expected to be completed within three months. Land acquisition has already begun, securing 8 km at Marrakech's exit and over 60 hectares near Agadir's Adrar stadium. The Marrakech-Casablanca high-speed segment is scheduled for completion by 2029, while an extension to Essaouira is under consideration. In 2024, Moroccan railways transported 56 million passengers, predominantly via the Al Boraq high-speed train. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed Morocco's aviation strategy, noting the sector's important economic impact. According to IATA's 'Value of Air Transport to Morocco' report from last month, aviation contributes MAD 112 billion ($11.2 billion) to GDP and supports 856,000 jobs, representing 7.9% of the country's economy. 'Given the critical and growing importance of aviation to Morocco's economy, the launch of the 'Airports 2030 Strategy' will have a far-reaching and positive impact on Morocco's economic and social development,' said Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. IATA's report indicates that Morocco's international air connectivity has increased by 36% within Africa and 63% with other regions since 2014. The country now operates 18 airports with commercial scheduled flights connecting to 54 countries through direct routes. The aviation sector directly employs 38,000 people in Morocco, generating MAD 11 billion ($1.1 billion) in economic output. Tourism supported by aviation makes the largest contribution, adding MAD 85 billion ($8.5 billion) to GDP and employing 681,600 people. IATA has recommended three key priorities to maximize Morocco's airport investments: ensuring cost-efficient charges and fees, building human resource capacity alongside infrastructure development, and implementing smart consumer regulations that reflect global best practices. 'It is no coincidence that the 'Airports 2030 Strategy' aligns with Morocco being a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco will be on the world stage, which is a great incentive to be ready to show off Morocco's growing strength as an aviation hub linking Africa, Europe, and North America,' Al-Awadhi noted. Read also: Morocco's Airports Target 90 Million Passengers by 2035
Morocco World
20-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONDA Launches Construction of New $1.5 Billion Terminal at Mohammed V Airport
Doha – The Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) has officially announced the construction of a new terminal at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport. The ambitious project, with an estimated investment of MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion), will feature a hub-style terminal designed to accommodate 20 million passengers annually when completed in 2029. This major infrastructure development is part of Morocco's 'Airports 2030' strategy, which aims to strengthen the country's position as a strategic aviation hub for global exchanges. The terminal is being designed as a technical marvel and architectural masterpiece, representing an unprecedented infrastructural revolution in Morocco's airport sector. The H-shaped terminal will comply with international hub standards, particularly in terms of connection times, baggage handling, and utilization rates of boarding bridges. It will also address anticipated air traffic growth needs, especially those linked to Royal Air Maroc's development program. Connectivity will be a key feature of the new terminal, with direct access to the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line (LGV), offering travelers quick and smooth connections to major Moroccan cities. Following the model of major international airports such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle, London-Heathrow, and Hong Kong International, this modern infrastructure aims to strengthen transportation intermodality and enhance passenger experience. The rail connection will significantly reduce travel times between Casablanca and other strategic centers while supporting air traffic growth by facilitating airport access for both domestic and international travelers. Comprehensive infrastructure development The new terminal project extends beyond the main building to include a parallel runway measuring 3,700 meters by 45 meters with associated taxiways and aeronautical infrastructure. The development will also feature aircraft parking areas and a new 42-meter-high control tower. Designed with passenger comfort in mind, the terminal will be arranged across three main levels and will integrate green spaces in the form of oases, commercial zones, a large duty-free area, VIP lounges, and a hotel, all offering views of the runways. The various components are intended to deliver an entirely reinvented qualitative experience for travelers, optimizing mobility, comfort, and hospitality. ONDA has already launched the earthworks tender, with additional construction tenders to follow in the coming months. This iconic project reinforces ONDA's ambitions to meet the country's new challenges, particularly in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Architectural design inspired by Atlantic waves Conceived as an architectural manifesto, the new Casablanca terminal draws inspiration from the natural forces of the Atlantic Ocean. The curved, fluid lines of its architecture evoke the power and delicacy of water movement, symbolizing the balance between strength and serenity. The terminal embodies the vision of 'Morocco, gateway to the Atlantic,' ONDA says, where the fluidity of forms resonates with the energy of waves. The vast open spaces, inspired by the limitless Atlantic horizon, reflect Morocco's aspiration to establish itself as a strategic crossroads for global exchanges. The design goes beyond its role as a transportation infrastructure to serve as Morocco's gateway, a contemporary representation of Moroccan cultural identity in all its diversity. The architecture draws from forms, colors, and materials that reflect the North African country's diversity: geometric patterns of Andalusian inspiration, Amazigh carpets from the Atlas Mountains, and elegant arches from medinas blend into a harmonious and avant-garde vision. Gardens play a central role in the terminal design. By integrating two tree-lined and vegetated areas in the form of oases within the airport, ONDA aims to offer travelers an immersive, modern experience that shows off Morocco's natural heritage. These oases provide a soothing contrast to the terminal's contemporary architecture and create a space for calm and decompression before or after flights. The roof covering the terminal represents an architectural masterpiece. The pattern of the 'soffite' (overhanging parts) refers to the 'bejmat' with a hexagonal grid covered in ochre, as a tribute to traditional Moroccan architecture and homage to the southern provinces. This reference to terracotta zellige also brings a warm and welcoming touch to the airport, with a subtle and natural texture, contrasting with the contemporary architectural gesture. Read also: Tangier Airport's $327 Million Extension to Triple Passenger Capacity Tags: Mohammed V airportMoroccan Airports Authority (ONDA)
