Fès-Saiss Airport Implements Enhanced Safety Measures for Reopening

Like the other airports in the country, Fès-Saiss is preparing to ensure a secure and reassuring welcome for passengers, in accordance with the recovery plan of the National Airports Office (ONDA).

In terms of preventive and health measures to be taken, there is the implementation of marked circuits and state-of-the-art thermal cameras, in order to respect social distancing in all passenger reception areas, the strengthening of cleaning and intensive disinfection operations of airport facilities and the dissemination of awareness messages.

"All these measures comply with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)," Noureddine Larheni, director of Fès-Saiss airport, said Saturday to the MAP, during a report on the preparations for the resumption of airport activity.

Other health measures such as the installation of glass partitions separating airport employees and travelers, the mandatory wearing of masks, the installation of hydroalcoholic gels in various spaces and places, have been taken at the check-in and reception desks, he added.

In addition to the thermal cameras installed in the Arrivals area, new cameras have been installed in the various airport zones to ensure proactive monitoring of any suspected cases, the ONDA points out.

Also, dedicated circuits for the evacuation of suspected cases have been set up, as well as health isolation points have been set up at departure or arrival, in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

In total, 1,417,881 travelers transited through Fès-Saïs airport in 2019, compared to 1,310,239 passengers during the same period in 2018, an increase of 8.22%, according to ONDA. From 228,399 passengers in 2006, the airport’s traffic has almost quadrupled in ten years, reaching 892,974 in 2016, an average annual growth of around 13%.

Fès-Saiss airport intends to increase its capacity to 2.5 million passengers with a new terminal that will also serve as a platform for several low-cost airlines.