Morocco Expands Digital Travel Access as Airport Investment Supports Tourism Growth

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There are ongoing efforts to upgrade the infrastructure that enables travel from other parts of the world to Morocco, as Casablanca and Marrakech play a bigger role in the country as entry points to Morocco. With regard to travel plans to Morocco in September 2026, the upgrading of airport infrastructure is pertinent to visitors because two main airports are undergoing upgrades. The 2026 investment project of Morocco entails the expansion of airport infrastructure. According to government investment papers, there are plans to expand Mohammed V International Airport with respect to its passenger capacity by upgrading it from 14 million to 35 million passengers, and the same will be done for Marrakech Menara Airport, where the plan entails doubling the passenger capacity from 8 million to 16 million passengers.

Digital Visa Services Remain Part of the Travel Journey

Morocco already operates an official electronic visa system for eligible foreign nationals. The government’s eVisa framework allows qualifying travellers to apply online for tourism or business purposes, subject to nationality, passport and other eligibility conditions.

The system is particularly relevant to travellers from countries where an electronic visa route is available. India is included among the nationalities listed in the official eVisa framework, while other eligibility categories apply to foreign nationals holding qualifying residence permits in specified countries.

Travellers should check their individual eligibility before booking because possessing an eVisa does not automatically guarantee admission to Morocco. Border authorities retain the power to verify entry conditions when visitors arrive.

Casablanca Airport Is Being Prepared for Greater Capacity

Mohammed V International Airport remains Morocco’s principal international aviation gateway and a major transit point for travellers continuing towards Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and other destinations.

The government’s 2026 investment programme sets out plans for a new terminal area that would raise the airport’s annual capacity to 35 million passengers. The programme places the expansion within a broader strategy to modernise airport infrastructure and strengthen Morocco’s international connections.

The airport is already undergoing infrastructure work. Morocco’s aviation information service lists an ongoing project involving the upgrading and reconfiguration of the aircraft apron at Casablanca Mohammed V, with the works scheduled to continue through December 2026.

For passengers, construction activity means airport procedures and operational arrangements can change as work progresses. Checking airline instructions and airport information before travelling remains important, particularly for connecting passengers.

Marrakech Remains a Key Tourism Gateway

Marrakech Menara Airport has a different role within Morocco’s tourism network. The airport is only around 3.5 kilometres from Marrakech city centre, placing international visitors close to the medina, major hotels and the city’s principal attractions.

The airport has 58 check-in counters and 15 international departure gates, according to Morocco’s airport authority.

Infrastructure work is also continuing at Marrakech Menara. Morocco’s official aviation information service records an airport infrastructure upgrade programme running from April to October 2026, covering taxiway and aircraft-movement infrastructure.

For visitors arriving during September, this means the airport remains fully integrated into the city’s tourism network while infrastructure work continues around the airside environment.

Marrakech Offers a Compact Arrival Experience

One of the practical advantages of Marrakech Menara is the short distance between the airport and central Marrakech. Visitors can move relatively quickly from the terminal towards the medina, where riads, restaurants, souks and historic monuments form the core of the city’s tourism offer.

The contrast is immediate. Within a short drive, an international traveller can move from aircraft terminals into streets filled with traditional architecture, market stalls, cafés and pedestrian activity.

This proximity also makes Marrakech suitable for short breaks. Travellers arriving from European cities can spend a long weekend in the city without needing a lengthy domestic transfer after landing.

Morocco’s Wider Airport Network Is Expanding

The investment programme extends beyond Casablanca and Marrakech. Government plans also include capacity increases at Tangier Ibn Batouta, Fez-Saïs and Agadir Al Massira airports. Tangier’s planned capacity would rise from 2 million to 7 million passengers, Fez-Saïs from 2 million to 5 million, while Agadir Al Massira is planned to expand from 2.5 million to 7 million.

The geographical spread matters for tourism because Morocco’s visitor economy is not concentrated in one city. Marrakech serves leisure travellers, Agadir supports beach tourism, Tangier provides access to northern Morocco, and Fez connects visitors with one of the country’s major historic cities.

What Travellers Should Check Before Flying

Foreign travellers need to check whether they need a visa and whether they are eligible for the eVisa system before their journey commences. According to the official guidelines regarding the use of eVisa, only ordinary passports are acceptable for applying for an electronic visa, and once the process has been paid for, it cannot be reversed or cancelled. Travellers also need to give themselves adequate time at the airports, especially when travelling through Casablanca as a connecting point. The current airport development plan indicates that Morocco is well prepared for handling an increased number of passengers in the coming years. For those who will be travelling to Morocco in September 2026, the immediate experience is that of the existing tourism facilities and airports still under development. The tourism journey of Morocco is increasingly beginning even before the arrival of travellers into the medina, desert, mountains or the Atlantic coastline of Morocco.