According to figures published by the management of Hassan I Airport in LaĆ¢youne, the number of passengers who passed through this airport in 2012 reached 101,684, which represents a decrease of about 5% compared to 2011, which recorded 106,000 passengers. The airport recorded 2,132 flights between 1 January and 31 December 2012, compared to 2,130 in 2011.
Hassan I Airport in LaĆ¢youne, which covers an area of 7.5 hectares, of which 4 hectares are reserved for commercial aviation, has a capacity to welcome 500,000 passengers each year.
This airport has two arrival halls, two departure lounges instead of just one previously, capable of handling two flights at the same time, as well as a public hall of 1,000 m2, four check-in counters, four other police and customs control airlocks for departures, an arrival and baggage delivery hall, as well as various services and shops. The annual capacity of this airport is 500,000 passengers.
Built by the late Hassan II in 1985, Hassan I Airport plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the LaĆ¢youne-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region by ensuring its opening to the world. Thus, since 2005, this airport has provided regular air links between the city of LaĆ¢youne and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, where a large number of Moroccans residing abroad from the southern provinces live. This link allows the Canarians to better know the southern provinces of Morocco, and also offers tourists visiting these islands the possibility of travelling to the Moroccan Sahara in less than half an hour, ensuring a total change of scenery. Added to this are links with Casablanca at promotional fares and recently with the city of Agadir to encourage tourists to visit the southern provinces of the Kingdom, which are full of tourist assets not yet exploited.
However, businessmen and traders based in this region are calling for the reopening of the maritime line between the port of LaĆ¢youne and that of Las Palmas, which, according to them, should open new horizons and have positive effects on the regional economy.
News 10 Jan 2013 2 min read
100,000 passengers passed through Hassan I Airport in 2012
Hassan I Airport, which covers an area of 7.5 hectares, of which 4 hectares are reserved for commercial aviation, has a capacity to welcome 500,000 passengers each year.
