Zagora, MA 🇲🇦 Closed Airport
MA-0011
-
2631 ft
MA-08
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 30.320299° N, -5.86667° E
Continent: AF
Type: Closed Airport
Zagora Airport (MA-0011, OZG/GMAZ) generally garners a positive sentiment from travelers, primarily due to its efficient and friendly service, especially considering its small size. While it serves as a crucial gateway to the Moroccan desert, some travelers note a significant lack of amenities within the terminal.
Overall, Zagora Airport is a functional and welcoming small airport, praised for its efficient staff and processes. However, travelers should be prepared for a very basic terminal experience with limited amenities and plan accordingly, especially regarding food and drinks, given the infrequent flight schedule.
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11/29 |
9843 ft | 98 ft | ASPH | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Circa October 2007
The airport was closed due to its replacement by the new, modern Zagora Airport (IATA: OZZ, ICAO: GMAZ). The old airfield (MA-0011) had a short, likely unpaved or poorly maintained runway and lacked the necessary infrastructure (e.g., modern terminal, navigation aids, lighting) to handle larger commercial aircraft. Its closure and replacement were part of a broader Moroccan national strategy to boost tourism in the Drâa-Tafilalet region by building facilities capable of accommodating larger planes like the ATR-72 and Boeing 737, thereby increasing passenger capacity and improving safety.
The site of the former airport is currently abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (30.320299, -5.86667) shows a single, deteriorating runway that is slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding desert. There are no significant buildings or infrastructure remaining. While the land may be under the control of the Moroccan state or military, there is no visible evidence of any official, active use. It is completely non-operational and inaccessible for any aviation purposes.
The former Zagora Airport was the primary air link to the remote desert city of Zagora for many years. It was a basic airfield, crucial for connecting the region with the rest of Morocco. Its operations were limited to:
- **General Aviation:** Serving small, private aircraft.
- **Government and Military Flights:** Used by the Moroccan military, Royal Gendarmerie, and other government agencies for transport, logistics, and surveillance in this strategic area near the Algerian border.
- **Limited Commercial Operations:** It handled very small charter or scheduled flights, likely using STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. These flights provided an essential lifeline for tourism, business, and medical evacuations before the new airport was constructed.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the former Zagora Airport. All regional and national aviation investment has been directed to the new Zagora Airport (GMAZ), which fully meets the current and projected needs of the region. The old site is considered obsolete, and its redevelopment for aviation is economically and logistically unfeasible.