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Morocco’s Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) has officially launched the main phase of construction for the landmark 12 billion dirham ($1.3 billion USD) expansion of Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport, following the completion of site excavation and preparatory works. In March 2026, ONDA unveiled the striking “H-shaped” architectural designs for the new terminal, crafted by a consortium of British firm RSHP, France’s Egis, and local partner ALA Concept. Built by a joint venture of Morocco’s largest contractors, SGTM and TGCC, the modular, three-story terminal will feature an undulating roof mimicking Atlantic Ocean waves and will integrate lush “oasis” zones to elevate passenger comfort. Scheduled to open by 2029, the expansion is designed to boost the airport’s total capacity to 35 million passengers annually, ensuring Morocco is fully prepared to serve as a world-class gateway when it co-hosts the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

The massive overhaul extends beyond the terminal walls, encompassing a new 3,700-meter parallel runway, a 42-meter air traffic control tower, and an airside premium hotel. It is strategically engineered for seamless multimodal transport, offering direct access to Morocco’s Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail (LGV) network to slash transit times to other major urban centers. To ensure a cohesive visual identity across the entire airport precinct, ONDA also launched an international architectural competition in July 2026 with a $32 million budget to redesign and integrate the existing Terminals 1 and 2 into a single, highly efficient, and environmentally sustainable architectural unit.

Also, in another similar airport project, Kenya has also joined the race of aviation superiority with the modernisation of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

November 5, 2025

Morocco’s National Airports Office (ONDA) has launched a public tender for the construction of a new terminal at Mohammed V International Airport. Valued at $980 million, the new terminal will initially handle 20 million passengers annually. However, this is expandable to 30 million and will cover 600,000 square meters. The H-shaped structure of the terminal was designed by a consortium of Ala Concept, RSHP Architects, and Egis Bâtiment International. Its design features a central building and two wings, a new runway and air traffic control tower.

Furthermore, it is expected to connect to the future high-speed rail line linking Tangier and Marrakech. The report said the tender is divided into nine packages with a total execution period of 40 months. Additional tenders will cover aviation infrastructure, external works, and technical installations. Site preparation works, awarded to STAM, are 40 percent complete, the report noted. ONDA said the new terminal is part of the Airports 2030 master plan, which aims to elevate Moroccan airports to world-class standards in performance, efficiency, and international connectivity. Airport projects across Africa are becoming a norm as the continent improves its flight networks and areas. Other than the Mohammed V International airport new terminal, others such as the Bishoftu International Airport highlight this commitment. Once complete, Ethiopia’s Bishoftu international airport is expected to be Africa’s largest.

October 7, 2025: Morocco anticipates to commence multi-million-dollar expansion works on the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca. The airport is the nation’s largest as construction works on a new terminal commences. The project is overseen by Morocco’s Office National des Aeroports (ONDA). According to local media reports, ONDA awarded $29 million deal for enabling works to a local-based firm. The firm awarded the contract is Societe de Travaux Agricoles Marocaine. Furthermore, ONDA anticipates that the expansion project will be completed in 2029. This ambitions aligns with Morocco’s galvanized project to host the FIFA World Cup 2030. The tendering activity for the main works on the new terminal is also ongoing. In April, ONDA had issued a notice inviting firms to express interest in a contract to build the new terminal. The estimated $1.6 billion expansion will increase the airport’s capacity to 30 million passengers in a year.

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The Top 10 Largest Airport Projects in Africa

The Scope of Implementation on the Mohammed V International Airport

The scope of implementation on the Mohammed V International Airport entails its preparations to host the FIFA World Cup 2030. In June, 28 local and international firms expressed interest in the contract to build the new terminal. Furthermore, Morocco’s Transport & Logistics Minister, Abdessamad Kayouh, said the study to expand the airport’s capacity was nearing completion. The new terminal is expected to cover an area of about 45,000 square meters. Moreover, it is expected to hold the enormous visitors who will be there for the World Cup, which is co-hosted with Portugal and Spain.

The project is part of Morocco’s $4.3 billion plan to expand key airports in anticipation of increased passenger flow in 2030. Morocco also announced earlier in the year that it will build a new airport in Casablanca. The nation has an aim to upgrade several of its airports such as those in Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir. Through this, it aims to increase their respective capacities to 7 million, 16 million and 7 million passengers annually. Furthermore, the new terminal at Mohammed V International airport will be connected to a high-speed train network. The rail network is expected to provide a direct rail link from Kenitra to Marrakech.

Mohammed V International Airport Expansion: Project Factsheet

Project Owner: Office National des Aéroports (ONDA)

Consortium Architects: RSHP (UK), Egis (France), and ALA Concept (Morocco)

Lead Contractors (JV): SGTM and TGCC (Morocco’s two largest construction firms)

Total Investment: MAD 12.8 Billion ($1.28 Billion USD)

Terminal Size: 600,000 square meters

Design Configuration: “H-shaped” layout (central processor flanked by two wings to optimize passenger flows and boarding gate access)

Initial Target Capacity: 20 million passengers annually for the new terminal

Total Airport Capacity: Up to 35 million passengers annually

Expected Completion: Late 2029

Core Infrastructure Components:

• New Terminal Building: A three-story modular facility featuring an undulating, ocean-wave-inspired roof, built-in oasis gardens, a premium 300-key airport hotel, VIP lounges, and a massive duty-free zone.
• Aeronautical Upgrades: Construction of a new 3,700-meter x 45-meter parallel runway, extended taxiways, 54 aircraft stands (in the initial 2033 configuration), and a new 42-meter-tall air traffic control tower.
• Multimodal Transport Link: Direct integration of a newly constructed, dedicated station connecting the airport to the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail network (LGV).

Key Timelines and Progress:

• July 2025: Site preparation, leveling, and excavation works commence.
• December 2025: Main building and systems installation contracts officially awarded to the SGTM-TGCC joint venture.
• March 2026: Final architectural schematics, terminal features, and structural visualizations publicly unveiled.
• July 2026: ONDA launches an international architecture competition to integrate existing Terminals 1 and 2 into a single unified design alongside the new terminal.
• 2029: Projected operational commissioning and testing phases.

Project Team

Project Owner and Client:

• Office National des Aéroports (ONDA): The Moroccan Airports Authority directing the “Airports 2030” strategy, overseeing the financing, master planning, and ultimate operations of the newly expanded aviation hub.

Design and Engineering Consortium:

• RSHP (UK) (Lead Architects): Formerly Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, this globally renowned British architecture firm won the international competition to design the iconic three-story, modular, wave-like terminal.
• Egis Bâtiment International (France) (Lead Engineering): Leveraging over 45 years of presence in Morocco, Egis manages the technical integration, systems engineering, and complex logistics of the airport’s infrastructure.
• ALA Concept (Morocco) (Co-Architects): A prominent local architectural and interior design firm responsible for infusing traditional Moroccan heritage, Andalusian and Berber motifs, and indigenous landscaping into the terminal’s modern design.

Construction and Infrastructure Partners:

• SGTM (Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc) (Joint Venture Lead): Morocco’s largest construction firm, splitting the primary terminal building and systems installation contract on a 50/50 basis.
• TGCC (Travaux Généraux de Construction de Casablanca) (Joint Venture Lead): A major Moroccan building and industrial contractor co-leading the physical delivery of the massive 600,000-square-meter terminal.
• STAM (Société de Travaux Agricoles Marocains) (Earthworks): Tasked with handling the complex site preparation, leveling, and initial excavation phases of the airport expansion.

Also read:

Morocco Awards Early Works Tender on $1.6 Billion Casablanca Airport Expansion Project

US$1.5 billion terminal construction launched at Mohammed V Airport, Casablanca