Marseille Airport Sees Surge in Passengers, Driven by Morocco Flights

Marseille-Provence airport recorded 1,161,644 passengers, during the period from July 1 to August 25, 2021, an increase of 94.5% compared to last summer, but a decrease of 38.7% compared to the same period in 2019, before the health crisis, reports Air Journal.

With 450,190 passengers (+35.0% vs 2020, -26.1% vs 2019), domestic traffic was only down "-26% compared to 2019" thanks in particular to traffic to/from the French provinces (-25.4% vs 2019) and Corsica; the latter market has returned to its 2019 pre-crisis level, notes the press release from the Marseille Tourist Office. Compared to 2019, traffic to/from Paris fell by 42.1%.

International traffic recorded 705,047 passengers, an increase of 169.5% compared to 2020. However, this figure is down -45.0% compared to 2019. The impossible or very limited movements to/from many markets (Algeria, Canada, etc.) did not prevent certain destinations from "playing their cards right", it is noted. This is the case of Morocco. Traffic to/from the kingdom has thus exceeded its 2019 level.

The improving health situation at the beginning of the summer "has allowed the French and Europeans to travel more, as the airspace of certain countries has reopened, and anticipation of the management of tourist flows has allowed certain measures to be taken," summarizes the Tourist Office.