A MAJOR capital city in Africa has revealed its huge new terminal that is about to open – and you can even fly there with Ryanair.
The expansion or Rabat-Sale Airport comes in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup which will have games hosted in Morocco.
Rabat, a coastal city, is close to finishing the expansion of its terminal that will quadruple the amount of passengers.
It’s part of Morocco’s investment of $2.8 billion (£2.1billion) in its airports to double capacity from 38million to 80million passengers each year by 2030.
Rabat-Sale Airport’s annual capacity alone will go from around 1.5million passengers to 5million.
The whole terminal will be 69,000 square metres and have state-of-the-art facilities – like six telescopic boarding bridges.
It will have upgraded shops and eating areas, additional aircraft parking positions, and a two-level parking with 1,300 spaces.
The terminal was expected to open years ago, but was subject to delays.
Brits will get to see the upgraded terminal if they fly there with Ryanair as the airline is opening a new base in Rabat in April 2026 and will station two aircraft there.
The service will include a total of 20 routes for the 2026 summer season.
There are direct flights from both London Stansted and Manchester with Ryanair to Rabat from as little as £16.
The expansion has been put in place to take additional passengers in time for the World Cup in four years’ time.
The airport is are five miles outside of Rabat 56 miles away from Casablanca – which city’s airport is also getting an upgrade.
The Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, Morocco is expanding its airport with a new terminal which will be able to handle up to 20million passengers a year.
The new terminal will be in the shape of an ‘H’ and is scheduled to be operational by 2029.
It will have three levels with shops, green spaces, an airport hotel, and a 3,700 metre runway.
Other airports around the country getting expansions and upgrades are in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Fez.
Rabat is the capital of Morocco and sits on the northwestern coast – National Geographic even called it one of its best place to visit in 2026.
The publication added it to its must-visit spots for this year, calling it the country’s “relaxed Atlantic-coast capital”.
While it’s the capital, Rabat is lesser-known than other places like Marrakech and Agadir.
Rabat still has all the charm of the other spots, just much quieter, so you can stroll around the traditional medina souks without it being so busy.
When it comes to the top things to do, one is visiting Kasbah des Oudaias – a fortress looking over the Atlantic Ocean and Bouregreg River.
Another airport has revealed plans for first long-haul flights in 15 years – with massive £500million investment.
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