Morocco’s National Airports Office (ONDA) has awarded a MD12bn ($1.2bn) contract to build the new terminal at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International airport.

The contract was awarded to the joint venture of local firms Societe Generale des Travaux du Maroc (SGTM) and Travaux Generaux de Construction de Casablanca (TGCC).

Construction work on the Mohammed V International airport expansion is expected to begin immediately.

The project is slated for completion in 2029.

The expansion will cover more than 600,000 square metres (sq m) and increase the airport’s capacity to 30 million passengers a year.

The project is designed by a consortium comprising the local branch of French engineering firm Egis Batiment International, Morocco’s Ala Concept and UK-based RSHP Architects.

The scope of work covers preparatory works, structural works, waterproofing, steel structural works, building facades, electrical, mechanical and plumbing (MEP) works, data centre works, HVAC systems and other associated works.

The tender also covers the construction of a 300-key airside hotel.

The new terminal is expected to be ready in time for the 2030 Fifa World Cup, which Morocco is co-hosting alongside Portugal and Spain.

ONDA tendered the project contract on 4 November, with a bid submission deadline of 16 December, as MEED reported.

In July, ONDA began early works on the new terminal building, awarding an estimated MD294m ($29m) deal for enabling works to local firm Societe de Travaux Agricoles Marocaine.

In January, Morocco’s Transport & Logistics Minister, Abdessamad Kayouh, said that the study to expand the airport’s capacity was nearing completion.

The project is part of Morocco’s MD42bn ($4.3bn) plan to expand key airports in anticipation of increased passenger flow for the 2030 football World Cup.

Morocco plans to upgrade several airports, including those in Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir, increasing their respective annual passenger capacities to 7 million, 16 million and 7 million.

There are also plans to add a new terminal at Rabat-Sale airport, raising its capacity to 4 million passengers annually, and to increase Fez airport’s capacity to 5 million passengers annually.

The new terminal at Mohammed V International airport will be connected to a high-speed train network linking Kenitra to Marrakech.