Since the start of the health crisis, airlines and airports have been shaken by social movements and strikes with disastrous repercussions on flights and travelers.
In Morocco, the flight schedule is in danger of being completely turned upside down because of a social movement launched by the Unified National Bureau of Air Traffic Controllers.
In a press release, this office, a member of the national union of the Airports Office (ONDA), informs that a social movement is planned from August 3 until August 18, 2022, and explains its “ modalities ”.
Protest in Moroccan airports: major upheaval planned
In its statement, the Unified National Bureau of Air Traffic Controllers indicates that the movement will begin “on August 03, 2022 at 2:01 p.m. local time”. He specifies that there will be “restrictions on the number of air traffic movements throughout the Casablanca FIR/UIR”.
These restrictions will affect several flight sectors differently, indicates the press release, which details the terms of its protest movement:
- Only one air traffic every 30 minutes per Casablanca FIR/UIR entry point. “All flight levels are concerned”, specifies the press release, including Agadir and Casablanca.
- Marrakech and Agadir airports: one hour between two departures
- One hour between two departures in the Casablanca sectors, northern sector, southern sector and the eastern sector.
Strike in Morocco: the airports concerned
The press release explains that the first sector concerned is that of Casablanca, which includes Mohamed V airport in Casablanca, Tangier international airport, and Benslimane airport. There is also the northern sector which alludes to the airports of Rabat GMME, Tangier GMMT and Tetouane GMTN.
The southern sector is also affected by the dispute, it includes Essaouira GMMI, Ouarzazate GMMZ, Zagoura GMAZ, Tan tan GMAT, Guelmim GMAT, and Beni Mellal GMMD.
Finally, the western sector refers to the airports of Oujda GMFO, Fés GMFF, Nador GMMW, El Hoceima GMTA, Bouarfa GMFB, El Rachidia GMFK.
The press release from the Unified National Bureau of Air Traffic Controllers indicates however that the restrictions, imposed by its social movement planned from August 03 and which will last for a period of 15 days, will not affect several flights. These are, the press release states:
- State flights
- Medical flights
- Emergency flights
- National military flights
