The state-owned National Airports Authority runs the country’s 17 airports, including seven that can handle international flights.

he number of air passengers arriving in Morocco is rising sharply. It has led to a substantial modernization program for the air transport sector, with investment pouring into new runway and track, as well as services and commercial operations.

In just a few years’ time, Morocco expects the current number of eight million passengers, to rise to as high as 12 million. Casablanca, the country’s premier airport which is twinned with Miami, receives roughly half these passengers, some four million people; by 2005, it is expected to handle close to six million.

MOHAMED AMAL GUEDIRA Managing Director of the National Airports Authority

The National Airports Authority (NAA) is the state-owned agency that runs the country’s main airports. In total, it operates 17 airports throughout the kingdom including seven with international status. Mohamed Amal Guedira, NAA’s Managing Director, believes that the country can handle this steep jump. The construction of a new terminal at Casablanca’s Mohamed V international airport and a second runway costing $20 million is already underway. “The reception capacity at the other airports is sufficient to meet the growth of air traffic expected by 2010,” he says.

Morocco is positioning itself as a hub for intercontinental services. According to Mr. Guedira, the country offers a number of locational advantages. “The airport of Casablanca has been developed to play an important role as a hub at the regional level,” he says. “Its strategic position enables it to act as an important center for air traffic links between Africa, the Middle East, America and Europe. I expect Casablanca’s regional status will grow in the future.”

In addition, improved trade relations with the U.S. will generate more passenger traffic. Morocco is keen to attract new airlines to the country, especially those from America. The development of a free trade deal between the two countries will also boost ties. “We expect that the creation of this free trade zone will have an important impact on the growth of air traffic between Morocco and America,” says Mr. Guedira. “We are very optimistic about the results of this agreement on the air sector.” The twinning of Casablanca airport with Miami opens another direct line of communication. The two airports exchange staff members, which raises standards and professionalism and generates ideas. It is an important learning experience for Casablanca’s airport personnel.

The local air transport sector is undergoing something of a transformation. With the privatization of both the NAA and its spin-off services, such as air traffic control,on the drawing board, there is change in the air.

Yet there is no compromise on key issues such as security and safety. Morocco’s airports comply fully with all international security requirements, while staff training and the overall quality of service at the airports are equally vital. Indeed, after 9/11, the first plane to depart from an Arab country to the U.S. was a Royal Air Maroc flight from Casablanca.

Mr. Guedira says that the NAA is looking to raise the level of its commercial operations from roughly 15 percent of global turnover to as much as 40 percent, in line with international operators. This means opening handling and catering activities to competition, developing industrial and commercial zones, as well as concessions and shopping. These moves will help smooth the ground ahead of privatization.