RSHP and ALA Concept to design new terminal at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca

RSHP, ALA Concept and EGIS have won the competition to design the new terminal at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, scheduled to be operational by 2029 ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The National Office of Airports (ONDA) has launched a major project for a new terminal at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, with an initial capacity of 20 million passengers per year. Scheduled to be operational by 2029, the project represents an investment of 12 billion Dirhams. This initiative showcases Morocco’s architectural and technical ambitions, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure in both the Moroccan and African airport sectors that seeks to rival some of the most iconic airport projects worldwide.

Designed in the shape of an "H," this ambitious project will meet the requirements for hub operation, adhering to international standards for connection times, baggage handling efficiency, and aircraft gate access. It will also cater to the anticipated growth in air traffic and support the development plans of Royal Air Maroc.

Conceived as a modular system that seeks to facilitate rapid, component-based construction, the sweeping undulations of the roof evoke the waves and movement of the Atlantic, reflecting Casablanca’s identity as a coastal city open to the world, at the crossroads of continents. Beneath, an ochre-toned soffit articulated by a hexagonal motif and punctuated with rooflights references the bejmat and terracotta zellige of Moroccan architecture, the craftsmanship of the country’s southern provinces.

A key feature of the terminal is its integration with Morocco’s high-speed rail (LGV) network, linking Kenitra to Marrakech.

This rail connection will enable swift and fluid access between the airport and major cities across the country and designed to enhance multimodal connectivity. This high-speed link will not only reduce travel times between Casablanca and key urban centres but also improve accessibility for both domestic and international passengers.

The terminal’s broader infrastructure will include a new 3,700-meter by 45-meter parallel runway, with associated taxiways and aviation support systems, aircraft parking stands, and a state-of-the-art control tower.

Spanning three main levels, the terminal will deliver a completely reimagined passenger experience—prioritizing comfort, efficiency and hospitality. Highlights include large green oases, dynamic retail zones, an expansive Duty-Free area, VIP lounges, and a premium airport hotel—all offering sweeping views of the airfield.

A joint venture led by Morocco’s two largest contractors SGTM and TGCC were awarded the contract to deliver the Terminal in January 2026. Preparatory work on the site (levelling and excavation) started in July 2025 and is now complete. Handover of the first phase of the terminal is targeted in 2029.

As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, this flagship project underscores ONDA’s commitment to meeting the nation’s future challenges. It is a cornerstone of the “Airports 2030” vision and marks a transformative step in Morocco’s aviation landscape—positioning the country as a strategic hub for global connectivity.

Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Director RSHP, said: “We are delighted and excited to be involved in the realisation of Casablanca’s

new air terminal. This will be a building of global importance, its design inspired by the Atlantic’s waves upon the land, embodying the spirit and culture of this famous coastal city. The airport will be a celebration of light, warmth and human scale, undulating from grand central spaces to intimate and calming oases, a memorable experience for all travelling through it. It will be a state of the art, responsible, building that interprets and celebrates the landscape of its place to create a graceful threshold between Casablanca and the world beyond.”

Stephen Barrett, Director RSHP / Gérant RSHP France, said: “Beyond the responsibility of designing buildings that are environmentally and socially sustainable, a key architectural challenge in airport design is capturing a spirit of place—avoiding the creation of in-between spaces where a traveller can feel themselves to be both everywhere and nowhere. While resolutely contemporary, this project seeks to offer a distinctly Moroccan experience, giving passengers the unmistakable sense that they have arrived in Casablanca.”

Douglas Paul, Associate Director, RSHP said: “It has been a privilege to collaborate with our client and partners to create a gateway that expresses Morocco’s contemporary vision and ambition while drawing inspiration from the richness of its architectural heritage.”

Jack Evans-Newton, Associate Director, RSHP said: “This project represents an important step in Morocco’s evolving infrastructure. By bringing together a major international airport and the high-speed rail network, the new terminal strengthens national connectivity while positioning Casablanca as a key gateway between Africa, Europe, and the wider world.”