Morocco’s airports handled 22,282,997 passengers during the first seven months of 2026, representing an 8.77% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to the National Airports Office (ONDA).

International traffic accounted for the vast majority of passengers, rising 8.82% to 19,894,489. Domestic traffic also grew, increasing 8.36% to 2,388,508 passengers, based on ONDA’s commercial air traffic statistics for July 2026.

Casablanca Mohammed V remained the country’s busiest airport, serving 6,953,695 passengers. Marrakech-Menara ranked second with 6,407,303, followed by Agadir-Al Massira with 2,179,857, Tangier Ibn Battouta with 1,711,764, and Rabat-Salé with 1,446,355.

European markets continued to generate the largest share of international traffic. A total of 16,541,007 passengers travelled between Morocco and Europe during the period, an increase of 9.29% year-on-year.

Several other markets recorded faster percentage growth. South American traffic jumped 34.21% to 62,880 passengers, while North American traffic increased 14.54% to 581,297. African traffic rose 13.74% to 1,175,674, and Maghreb traffic climbed 10.06% to 295,188.

Traffic involving the Middle and Far East was the only major regional segment to decline, falling 4.12% to 1,238,443 passengers.

Aircraft movements across Morocco’s airports reached 164,164 by the end of July, up 9.82% compared with the previous year. Mohammed V recorded 55,223 movements, followed by Marrakech-Menara with 42,028 and Agadir-Al Massira with 15,009.

Air freight also posted solid growth, reaching 66,980.55 tonnes, an increase of 12.61% over the seven-month period. In July alone, Moroccan airports handled 3,450,846 passengers.

The increase in traffic comes as Morocco steps up investment in its airport network ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Under its “Airports 2030” strategy, Morocco plans to increase nationwide airport capacity from approximately 34 million to 80 million passengers annually by 2030. A government agreement with ONDA covering 2025-2030 provides for MAD 38 billion ($3.8 billion) in investment across the airport network.

Casablanca Mohammed V is central to the expansion programme. Construction of a new hub terminal began in July 2025. The MAD 15 billion ($1.5 billion) facility is expected to add capacity for 20 million passengers annually, taking the airport’s overall capacity to 35 million passengers by 2029. The wider Casablanca development also includes a new runway.

At Marrakech-Menara, annual capacity is planned to double from eight million to 16 million passengers. Agadir-Al Massira is also being expanded, with capacity targeted at seven million passengers, compared with approximately three million currently.

Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh has linked the airport expansion programme to Morocco’s World Cup preparations and the continued growth of air transport.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the strategy, highlighting its potential to strengthen Morocco’s role as a regional aviation hub.

Source: Morocco world news

Qatar Airways is preparing for a major expansion and fleet modernization programme, with plans to take delivery of 138 new aircraft over the next five years, according to Chief Executive Officer Hamad Ali Al Khater.

Speaking at a media open day on Wednesday, Al Khater outlined the airline’s medium-term strategy as Qatar Airways showcased key facilities at Hamad International Airport, including its Integrated Operations Center, maintenance hangars and Customer Support and Disruption Management Center.

The aircraft pipeline will include Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s, while the airline is also preparing to introduce the next-generation Qsuite next summer.

Qatar Airways also plans to receive 50 Airbus A321LR aircraft by the end of the year. The aircraft will allow the carrier to serve secondary markets where operating economics can make larger aircraft less viable.

The airline is further expanding onboard connectivity, with around 150 aircraft expected to be equipped with Starlink high-speed internet. The move is aimed at creating what Qatar Airways describes as the world’s largest connected fleet.

Al Khater said the airline had successfully managed significant regional and global airspace restrictions while maintaining strong passenger demand. Passenger traffic has recovered to between 90% and 95% of last year’s level, alongside high load factors.

The carrier’s destination network has also expanded sharply, growing from 60 destinations to 160 since mid-June. At the same time, daily passenger volumes at Hamad International Airport have exceeded 140,000 as international airlines resume services to Doha.

Operational challenges remain, with airspace congestion currently causing delays of between 10 minutes and one hour. Al Khater said Qatar Airways was fully prepared to manage potential disruptions and mitigate operational risks.

He also highlighted the airline’s response to three major operational shocks over the past two years, including regional airspace closures since late February, the recent Indonesian volcanic eruption that affected 700 passengers, and a major British air navigation IT outage that disrupted hundreds of flights.

The CEO said organizational restructuring was also underway to improve passenger service. A newly established Customer Experience Department will bring together areas including hospitality and catering as part of efforts to strengthen the overall travel experience.

Al Khater also reaffirmed Qatar Airways’ focus on professional development and the advancement of Qatari talent and leadership, which he said would remain important to maintaining the airline’s position on the global aviation stage.

Source: QCAA

flyadeal, the fast-growing low-cost carrier of Saudia Group, will highlight its contribution to Saudi Arabia’s tourism development at World Travel Market (WTM) Riyadh, being held from September 8 to 10, 2026.

The airline will showcase its expanding domestic and international network, which links major cities, emerging destinations and global markets while providing more affordable travel options across the Kingdom.

As Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry continues to expand, flyadeal’s growing fleet and route network are helping improve access to the country’s cultural, heritage, leisure and nature destinations.

The airline will also present its customer-focused approach, competitive fares and initiatives aimed at improving the passenger experience throughout the journey, from booking to arrival.

Sanjiv Kapoor, Acting Chief Executive Officer of flyadeal and Executive Vice President of Strategies at Saudia Group, said Saudi Arabia’s tourism transformation was creating significant opportunities for the aviation sector.

He said flyadeal was supporting the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions by connecting travellers with more destinations across Saudi Arabia and international markets.

Kapoor added that the airline’s expanding network, 47 Airbus A320 aircraft, multiple operating bases, affordable fares and focus on customer service were helping make travel more accessible while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism goals.

Source: TradeArabia

Etihad Airways will launch flights to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on 4 October 2026, adding a year-round leisure destination to its growing network.

The airline will serve Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province, allowing passengers from across Etihad’s network to reach the destination with a single connection through Abu Dhabi. The new service will also improve access to the Red Sea from markets across the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.

The Red Sea will become Etihad’s sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, joining Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the new route would make the type of leisure experience typically associated with long-haul travel more accessible from Abu Dhabi.

“The kind of holiday people normally take a long-haul flight for, islands, reefs and relaxation, is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi and a single connection from anywhere across our network,” Neves said.

Services between Abu Dhabi and the Red Sea will initially operate once a week from 4 October, with frequency increasing to twice weekly from 25 October 2026.

Source: ZAWYA

Jazeera Airways has launched direct flights between Kuwait and Addis Ababa, adding the Ethiopian capital to its growing African network and strengthening connectivity between the two countries.

The inaugural service was marked by a ceremony at Jazeera Terminal 5, attended by Ethiopian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Sied Jibril and senior Jazeera Airways executives.

The airline will operate three flights per week on the new route, providing greater travel options for more than 70,000 Ethiopian nationals living in Kuwait.

Jibril welcomed the launch, describing the new connection as an important development in the longstanding relationship between Ethiopia and Kuwait. He said direct air links could support tourism, trade, investment and cultural exchanges while making travel easier for the Ethiopian community in Kuwait.

Paul Carroll, Chief Commercial Officer of Jazeera Airways, said Addis Ababa was a strategically important addition to the airline’s network and its first destination in Eastern Africa.

He said the route would serve the Ethiopian community in Kuwait while supporting business, trade and leisure travel between the two countries. Carroll added that Africa represented an important growth market for Jazeera Airways, with the Addis Ababa service strengthening its presence on the continent and providing passengers with connections through Kuwait to other destinations.

Source: ZAWYA

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) will operate 66 domestic and international routes under its winter 2026/27 timetable, covering key destinations across Europe, Australia and Asia.

The seasonal schedule will run from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, aligning with Thailand’s peak tourism period.

THAI announced the programme on September 2, 2026, saying it had increased selected services and flight frequencies in response to passenger bookings and travel demand. The airline is also using the winter schedule to strengthen its network connectivity through Bangkok.

The carrier’s winter network will include 15 routes to Europe and Australia, 43 routes across Asia and eight domestic routes.

Source: QCAA