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“The tripartite bid proposes a solid airport infrastructure, particularly in major hubs such as Barcelona, Casablanca, Lisbon, Madrid, Marrakech and Porto, and ongoing expansions in Morocco are expected to further increase airport capacity. It also demonstrates strong interurban connectivity, thanks in particular to high-speed trains and extensive motorway networks.
Furthermore, “given that the candidacy involves three countries and two continents, close coordination will be essential to ensure the smooth running of operations for the World Cup stakeholders, particularly with regard to questions of immigration, customs and the management of the various regulatory frameworks.” This is the conclusion of the FIFAfollowing the evaluation of the transport component of the joint application.
Airports: Marrakech and Casablanca, main gateways to Morocco
“With a relatively compact footprint and high proximity between many host cities, the majority of which are accessible by less than two and a half hours flight time from each otherthe joint application offers strong interconnectivity and a solid airport infrastructure overall,” details FIFA in its report.
Regarding international accessibility, which represents 60% of the rating of the transport component, this document explains that the application proposes several international airports spread over the three countries. In Morocco, those of Casablanca and Marrakech were identified as the main likely entry points.
“LMorocco continues significant investments to expand and modernize its airport infrastructure, in order to stimulate intercontinental demand”, underlines the report, noting that “the Kingdom is implementing ambitious plans aimed at increasing airport capacities and developing long-term strategies, building on on tourism initiatives, airline deals and the expansion of its national carrier.”
For example, “the Mohammed V international airport of Casablanca and that of Marrakech plan to double their capacity to achieve, together, 37.5 million passengers by 2030 (23.3 million for Casablanca and 14.2 million for Marrakech) thanks to expansion projects, which reinforces their role as the main gateways to the country.” It is the same for the two other countries hosts.
Note that with regard to the Kingdom, the data used for the evaluation of international accessibility is based on annual traffic forecasts for 2030.
L’Open sky between the EU and Morocco provides a solid logistical basis for the joint application
Furthermore, “while the overall capacity across the three countries is significant, it is worth noting that“there are variations in terms of capacity and passenger traffic from one city or airport to another”, underlines FIFA.
“For example, San Sebastian and Zaragoza currently handle around 500,000 passengers per year, which could require reliance on larger hubs (Madrid, Barcelona) as well as secondary modes of transport, such as high-speed trains, to connect these cities likewise. the airports of Agadir, Fez and Rabat, although more modest, should see their capacity increase to reach respectively 6.3 million, 2.5 million and 2.8 million passengers by 2030 thanks to expansion projects and traffic growth strategies.
Finally, from a cross-border point of view, “the agreement open skies between the European Union and Morocco, which allows airlines from both regions to operate without restrictions on routes, capacities or fares, promotes connectivity and cooperation in the Mediterranean region. This agreement also provides solid logistics base for the joint application”, estimates the report.
Robust long distance connectivity
Regarding intercity connectivity, which represents 40% of the rating of the transport component, FIFA underlines that “the joint application proposes multimodal means of transport to support intercity connectivity during the World Cup, including well-established air links, metropolitan, conventional and high-speed rail networks, passenger ferries, as well as bus services for medium and long distances.
For example, in terms of air connectivity, Casablanca and Marrakech offer direct flights to most, if not all, candidate host cities. Regarding the railway network, “Morocco is developing its network Al Boraqwhich will connect Marrakech to Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, while providing a high-performance line to Fez”.
Casablanca is for its part already connected by high-speed train lines bi- or multi-directional, facilitating seamless travel to other host cities, while Tangier and Marrakech offer similar high-speed connections with at least one other host city.
On the aspect of highways, “the Moroccan network strengthens connectivity between candidate cities and their surrounding regions”, explains FIFA, adding that “the ports of Agadir and Tangier as well as other ports of the other two host countries, also offer an additional option for accessibility between the three countries, and across the region.”
“In summary, the combination of these different modes of transport ensures intercity connectivity robust to meet the logistical requirements of the World Cup, by effectively connecting the host cities”, concludes FIFA with regard to intercity connectivity.
Mobility in host cities: measures to guarantee fluidity and meet challenges
The third aspect relating to transport evaluated in the FIFA report is that mobility in cities. She believes that “overall, although challenges exist for some cities, the planning and additional measures planned should help ensure efficient mobility for the event.”
According to the said report, large cities like Casablanca for example have a public transport system well-developed multimodal, including in particular trams, classic bus lines and train lines. The metropolis thus offers clear and viable transport concepts, with high-capacity public transport links between its airports, the city center and the stadiums.
Rabat, although smaller in terms of population, also offers a robust multimodal transport systemincluding a high-speed train access connecting key points such as the airport, city center and stadium. Additional extensions of this network are planned by 2030.
Potential challenges could also arise in cities like Bilbao, Marrakech and San Sebastian, linked to journeys requiring several connections, reduced capacities or limited frequencies between the airport, city center and stadium. However, with a detailed mobility plan, easy access to the stadiums in Bilbao and San Sebastian on foot, as well as the use of additional shuttle buses in these three cities, should help meet demand.
Similar challenges could arise in Agadir, Fez et Tanger. Although their existing or planned public transport systems are suitable for everyday use, additional measures would be necessary to manage the demands of an event like the World Cup. These cities each have only one rapid bus or tram line.
Last mile: details are needed on the development of areas surrounding three stadiums under construction in Morocco
Regarding “last mile” operations, the majority of stadiums, including those of Fez, Rabat et Tangerare located in urban areas. They generally have sufficient space in the immediate vicinity to meet parking needs and establish suitable traffic perimeters.
The stadiums ofAgadir, Casablanca and Marrakech are planned for more remote areas or under development. “It should be clarified whether the timing of development of surrounding areas will be aligned with that of stadium construction. In these cases, careful planning and coordination will be necessary to ensure adequate access points,” the FIFA report highlights.
Finally, almost all proposed host cities, by signing the host city agreements, offer free use of public transport for ticket holders and accredited personnel, concludes the said document on the aspect relating to transport.
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