Marrakech Airports The Marrakech-Menara International Airport (IATA Airport Code: RAK) is conveniently located six kilometres (four miles) south-west of Marrakech, Morocco. It is a comparatively small international airport that receives traffic mostly from Europe, Casablanca and several Arab nations. Though small, Menara International Airport is technologically advanced and is equipped to cater to aircraft up to the size of the Boeing 727s. Airlines serving Menara Airport include Air France, Air Horizons, Atlas Blue, GB Airways, Iberia Airlines, Regional Airlines and Morocco's national carrier Royal Air Maroc. Menara International Airport Terminal Amongst the numerous amenities the Menara International Airport affords travellers 24-hour ATMS, banks and a bureau de change, telephones, post office facilities, medical services, tourist information desks, cafeterias, duty-free shops as well as craft, floral and pottery boutiques, along with car rental companies such as Avis, Europcar, and Hertz. In keeping with the country's rich cultural heritage, the Menara airport is adjacent to one of Marrakech's most beautiful parks. This park boasts over 100 hectares of rustling olive trees. Recently the airport was revamped to incorporate a 5000-square metre freight station, expansion of the aircraft parking space and construction of a 3rd 20,000-square metre terminal designed to cater more efficiently to an increase in overall traffic capacity by over a million passengers per annum. One perquisite of Marrakech's popularity as a convention town is its considerable number of Marrakech hotels and motels, especially within easy reach of the airport such as Nassim, La Mamounia, Le Meridien N'fis, Sheraton Marrakech and Ibis Moussafir Meknes. Menara International Airport Parking The car park can comfortably accommodate up to 363 vehicles for a nominal fee. Menara International Airport Transport Bus - A number of Menara Airport shuttle bus companies provide a hotel door-to-door service between the airport and the Marrakech's central business district and suburban areas. A bus runs every 20 minutes on weekdays, less frequently during weekends and on national holidays. Tickets are inexpensive and can be purchased direct from the bus conductor. Taxis - Two types of taxis can be hailed from the airport: the grands taxis (shared intercity taxis) and petite taxis (city cabs). Up to six passengers can ride in a 'grand taxi' (usually a Mercedes) and are ideal for groups. It is recommended that fares should first be agreed upon prior to travelling. These large taxicabs are not permitted to enter the old town of Medina. So if you're headed for the area around Djemma El Fnaa square, take a petit taxi. 'Petite taxis' (Beige-coloured minicars like the Peugeot 206) can take only up to three passengers per trip. These local taxis are equipped with metres and it is suggested to insist that the driver turns the metre on before travelling. Normally, the rates of these small taxicabs differ during the day and night. Convenient taxi phones are strategically placed at vantage points in the airport's arrival and departure lounges and taxis can be easily hailed near bus stops. |
