Current Developments in Morocco

Morocco has prioritised its transport sector, which is vital to the continued growth of the economy. Major restructuring has already taken place. Journey times between urban centres have been cut and the airports are well on their way to handling 10m foreign tourists a year by 2010.

 As the country's economic development is being driven largely by the growth of tourism and exports, efficient ports and links between major points of distribution are essential.

There is a huge port being built in between Tangier and Tetouan - provisionally named the Golden Mediterranean. This will take freight away from Tangier port, returning it to a more touristic destination. The new port is intended to be the main hub into Africa, with good road links being built in the surrounding areas.

A new motorway between Tangier and Tetouan is under construction, this new motorway will provide excellent access to coastal destinations. A recently announced TGV train line is also being planned to link Tangiers to Marrakech.

Morocco is establishing itself as a regional transport logistics hub. Morocco signed an open skies agreement with the EU in late 2006 that has thrown the air transport market wide open. Logistical support for airfreight is also being improved, while the state aviation authority is preparing to transform into a commercially viable entity as it considers partnerships with the private sector to manage certain platforms at particular airports.

Morocco has a total of 11 international standard airports, the fleet for these airlines has been expanded with the commitment to purchase 29 new aircraft between 2002-2012. Prices for direct flights have plummeted with Flights from Luton to Fes being as low as £50 return including taxes; these routes were previously only used by the Moroccan state carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) and British Airways (BA).

RAM launched a budget subsidiary Atlas Blue in 2005, it is currently flying to the UK, both these airlines are offering cheap flights to European capitals like Paris, Brussels Amsterdam and the UK, with flights advertised from London to Marrakech from £19 excluding taxes. RAM is offering flights to Amsterdam from Tangier for £79 including taxes.

Only 12 months ago it was cheaper to get a package holiday to Morocco that fly, with the average price from London to Agadir being £400 return. With Air France setting up a bargain subsidiary and the likes of Monarch expected to enter that market along with Ryan air committing themselves to 20 destinations by 2010, flight prices can only get more competitive.

The kingdom's location at the open end of the Mediterranean and 15 km south of Spain gives it the potential to be a major maritime transport hub, with the Tanger-Med port as a major component. Goods from Asia and America destined for Mediterranean countries and Africa will be able to travel straight to this port, rather than to northern Europe, where they are currently transshipped south overland to reach the Mediterranean.