Morocco Airports Wait Time: Data From 600+ Flights in 2025

Airport queues in Morocco are now longer than ever, especially in Casablanca and Marrakech. As Morocco breaks tourism records this year, travelers are facing frustrating delays at security and passport control, with some missing flights despite arriving +2 hours early. For that, we analyzed 600+ bookings we made in early 2025 to create this report where we break down the average airport wait times across Morocco’s top airports especially Marrakech and Casablanca which are the most visited cities in Morocco, and shows you the best times to travel and when to avoid. If you’re flying to or from Morocco in 2025, be sure to check this before you flight.

How Long You’ll Really Wait at Morocco’s Airports in 2025 (Q1–Q2 2025)

Based on over 600 bookings analyzed in early 2025, Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) currently has the longest average wait times, ranging between 2.5 to 3 hours, with delays during peak hours often exceeding 3 hours. Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN) follows closely, averaging 2 to 3 hours, and reaching up to 4 hours during busy periods. In contrast, Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) maintains much smoother flow, with typical waits of only 30 minutes, though peak hours can extend delays up to 2 hours. Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport (TNG) reports 1 to 1.5 hours average waiting time, increasing by 2 hours at peak times. Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) offers one of the quickest experiences, with average wait times around 30–35 minutes and peak hour delays rarely exceeding 1.5 hours.

Airport	Avg wait Time	In peak hour Delay
Marrakech (RAK)	2.5 – 3hours	+3hours
Casablanca (CMN)	2-3hours	3-4hours
Agadir (AGA)	30 min	1-2hours
Tangier (TNG)	1-1.5hours	+2hours
Rabat (RBA)	30-35 min	1-1.5hours

Why Are Airport Queues So Long?

Understanding the causes of long airport queues and wait times requires examining each step of the passenger journey. We list bellow the steps that you follow in queues process and where delays commonly occur:

1. Initial Airport Entry & Pre-Security Checks (If Applicable)

In Morocco, not all airports conduct security screening at the entrance, but Casablanca and Marrakech often do. Bags may be scanned or manually inspected before you enter the terminal.
Estimated Time: 5–20 minutes, depending on crowd size and scanner availability.
Delay Factor: Can become a bottleneck during peak hours or if only one scanner is active.

2. Check-In Process

At check-in counters, you present your travel documents and check in your luggage.
Estimated Time: 30–60 minutes during regular hours; up to 90+ minutes during peak periods.
Delay Factors: Understaffing, airline-specific inefficiencies, and document issues can cause long lines. Casablanca and Marrakech often see delays due to insufficient counters for large volumes.

3. Security Checkpoint (Carry-On Screening)

After check-in, you go through security screening of carry-on items and personal checks.
Estimated Time: 15–30 minutes.
Delay Factors: Limited screening lanes, inconsistent procedures, and unprepared passengers (liquids, electronics, belts, etc.).
Note: Marrakech has frequent complaints of only one lane open during peak times.

4. Immigration Control (Passport Control)

Required for international departures.
Estimated Time: 20–45 minutes, depending on staffing.
Delay Factors: Low number of officers, manual systems, and large group processing. Casablanca can be particularly slow here during the evening or early morning waves.

5. Final Boarding Gate & Passport Verification

At the gate, a final ID/passport check is often performed.
Estimated Time: 5–15 minutes.
Delay Factors: Limited staff and manual checking (sometimes by airline crew). This is usually quick but can still back up if the gate opens late.

Key Factors Contributing to Delays:

Security Bottlenecks: Multiple security checks, especially for international flights, can create cumulative delays.
Passenger Congestion: During peak travel periods, such as holidays and weekends, the volume of passengers increases, leading to longer wait times.

How Morocco’s Airports Compare Globally

While Morocco’s airport infrastructure is improving rapidly, wait times at major hubs like Casablanca and Marrakech still exceed international averages. To understand the scope of the problem and the potential for improvement we compared average wait times at Morocco’s top airports to major international gateways in Europe and the Middle East.

Airport	Avg Wait Time	Peak Delay
Casablanca (CMN)	2-3 hours	3-4 hours
Marrakech (RAK)	2.5 to 3 hours	+3 hours
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)	10 min	30-90 min
Istanbul (IST)	10-15 min	30 min to 1 hours
Dubai (DXB)	10-15 min	30-60 min
Madrid (MAD)	3 min	10 min

Marrakech ranks among the slowest in this comparison, with peak-hour delays exceeding 3 hour. The same problem Casablanca airport deal with, both of them are still lags behind international hubs like Dubai or Madrid, where average processing times are under 15 minutes. What sets those airports apart is not just scale but automation, staffing, and streamlined passenger flows. In contrast, Moroccan airports still rely heavily on manual checkpoints, with limited digital infrastructure and frequent under-staffing during rush hours.

When Should You Arrive at the Airport?

To ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, we recommend the following arrival times based on our research:

International Flights: Arrive at least 2.5 to 3 hours before your scheduled departure. This allows ample time for check-in, security screening, and immigration procedures, especially during peak times.
Domestic Flights: Arrive 1.5 hours before departure. While these flights tend to have less congestion, it’s still important to account for check-in and security checks.
Holiday Peak Times: During busy travel periods such as national holidays, public holidays, or school vacations, we advise adding a 30–45 minute buffer to your usual arrival time. The risk of delays during these times is up to four times higher due to significantly higher passenger volumes.

Most delays are concentrated between 7:00–9:00 AM and 6:00–8:00 PM, when multiple flights are scheduled in quick succession, leading to increased congestion at check-in, security, and immigration.

Queue Avoidance Tips (Backed by Data)

According to our analysis of traveler behavior and airport layout:

70% of delays occur at security and immigration
Booking flights outside peak time slots (morning/evening rush) cuts wait time by up to 40%
Use e-gates (available at Casablanca and Marrakech for Moroccan bio-metric passport holders)
Choose seats closer to the front of the plane to beat the crowd to passport control

What Is Fast Track at Airports and How Does It Work?

Fast Track is a priority service designed to help passengers move quickly through the airport, bypassing long lines at security, passport control, and check-in counters. Families, elderly passengers, business travelers, and solo tourists who want to experience less hassle and more peace of mind at the airport can take advantage of Fast Track.

Fast Track services offer travelers:

Dedicated Lanes: Access to separate lines at security, immigration, and customs, reducing wait times.
Priority Processing: Expedited handling through security screenings and passport control. Personalized Assistance: Some services provide a dedicated agent to guide you through the airport processes
Additional Amenities: Depending on the service level, benefits may include luggage handling and access to VIP lounges.

These services can be accessed through:

Airline Tickets: Premium or business class tickets often include Fast Track access.
Airport Purchases: Some airports offer Fast Track passes for purchase.
Membership Programs: Certain credit cards or loyalty programs provide Fast Track benefits.

Time-Saving Benefits

Utilizing Fast Track services can lead to significant time savings:

Reduced Wait Times: By bypassing standard queues, travelers can save up to 30 minutes or more, especially during peak travel periods.
Efficient Processing: Some services enable travelers to complete immigration and customs procedures in less than 15 minutes.
Enhanced Airport Experience: With more time saved, travelers can relax in lounges, shop, or dine before their flights.

Types of Fast Track Services

Fast Track offerings vary in scope:

Standard Fast Track: Provides expedited access through security and immigration checkpoints.
Professional Fast Track: Includes personalized services such as dedicated agents, luggage assistance, and lounge access.

How Much Time Can Fast Track Save You?

Fast Track services have become increasingly popular. In our review of 600+ bookings in early 2025, we found that travelers using Fast Track services saved an average of 15 minutes to 3 hours during peak periods. In some airports, that saving exceeds 3 hours, particularly when immigration lines are overwhelmed.

For example at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, regular processing typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, whereas Fast Track reduces that to just 15 to 20 minutes, saving travelers up to 40 minutes. In Marrakech Menara Airport, the contrast is even more dramatic during peak hours, wait times can stretch from 2.5 to 4 hours, while Fast Track processing cuts that down to just 20 to 30 minutes, saving passengers as much as 3.5 hours. Tangier Ibn Battuta Airport shows average processing times of 1 to 2 hours, with Fast Track trimming that to 20–30 minutes, a time savings of around 30 to 35 minutes. Finally, Rabat-Sale Airport sees regular queues lasting 30 to 35 minutes, compared to 15–20 minutes for Fast Track users again saving about 30 to 35 minutes.

Airport	Regular Processing	Fast Track Processing	Time Saved
Casablanca	30-60 minutes	15-20 minutes	15-40 minutes
Marrakech	2.5-4hours (peak times)	20-30 minutes	2-3.5hours
Tangier	1-2hours	20-30 minutes	30-35 minutes
Rabt	30-35 minutes	15-20 minutes	30-35 minutes

Given the significant delays documented, many travelers wonder if Fast Track services can help. For a comprehensive breakdown of Fast Track’s effectiveness and whether it justifies the cost at Casablanca Airport, see our article “Is Fast Track Worth It at Casablanca Airport? (2025 Breakdown).”

Fast Track Services: What’s Included?

Depending on the provider and airport, Fast Track packages can include:

Arrival Services: Meet & Greet at the gate, fast-track through immigration, luggage assistance
Departure Services: Priority check-in, expedited security, lounge access
Transit Services: Escort between terminals, re-check-in support, lounge access during layovers
Lounge Services:

These services are especially beneficial for families, VIPs, elderly travelers, and business passengers who want a smooth airport experience.

Where Is Fast Track Available in Morocco?

Fast Track services are now offered in the following airports:

Marrakech airport (RAK) – Arrival, Departure
Casablanca airport (CMN) – Arrival, Departure, Lounge
Agadir airport (AGA) – Arrival, Departure
Tangier airport (TNG) – Arrival, Departure
Rabat airport (RBA) – Arrival, Departure

Each city’s Fast Track setup varies slightly, depending on terminal layout and passenger volume.

Final Take: When to Arrive, When to Upgrade

If you’re flying from Casablanca or Marrakech during busy periods, a Fast Track pass could save you 30 minutes to 3 hours, sometimes more. With rising flight volumes and seasonal surges, skipping long immigration and security lines isn’t just about convenience it can make the difference between catching or missing your flight.

Morocco’s Worst Airport Delays in 2025 – Data From 600+ Flights