The Casablanca Airport: Here’s the Skinny on what CMN is Actually Like

What’s the deal with the Casablanca Airport (CMN)?

Departing the Casablanca Airport (CMN) is quite a different experience from the arrival. When you initially enter the building, your bags are immediately scanned. This happens even before you go through security or check into your flight. I was being nice and waiting my turn, and this strategy got me nowhere fast. Well, I did receive something- I was elbowed about five times.

So, the lesson is this, drop all niceties. It won’t help, and the locals won’t respect your gesture. A bit like spending the afternoon weaving through the intense souks in Fez, it’s best to get involved and embrace the hustle. Trust me, your journey is just beginning. 

Why won’t anybody take my dirhams?

Once my bags were scanned (FYI, you will go through this process again), I wanted to change my extra dirhams for euros. You are greeted with a bevy of money exchange places.

Look, I know that you don’t get a great rate at the airport, but I was desperate to change my currency. Assuming that getting fleeced would be an easy process, I saddled up to a random counter. However, I was denied. Apparently, you need a boarding pass to complete a transaction at the Casablanca Airport. I found this weird, because I had not even gotten to the security checkpoint. And, the check in desks are in a completely different section of the terminal from everything else. 

The setup seems counterintuitive to me, but it’s good to understand how things work. I wasted time in line, when I should have been moving forward.

Navigating the Casablanca Airport

Now it’s time to check into your flight. This is straightforward (kind of). The counters are not directly behind the scanners. You need to walk upstairs. This isn’t rocket science, but things can get confusing. And, if you are not flying Royal Air Morocco, it will probably take you a few minutes to find the correct desk. Again, it’s not complicated, but things don’t exactly jump out at you.

After checking in, go through security a second time and clear customs. The Casablanca Airport makes you fill out the old school paper forms regarding your nationality and purpose for your visit. And, don’t be offended if an agent randomly pulls you out of line to ask you a few questions. This is normal.

Please note, if you are not flying Royal Air Morocco (which dominates the Casablanca Airport), expect to be bused to your plane. I always groan when a bus is involved, as I’ve had way too many experiences that involved waiting on them for hours. However, this time things were executed quickly. 

Safety first!

In general, Morocco takes security seriously. Actually, the entire country does. To combat terrorism, the police profile everyone, and several taxi drivers told me that they think this practice is effective. I just assumed that they would find the inconvenience annoying, but the reaction was quite the opposite.

From the airport to the roadways, locals embrace security procedures.

Overall

It takes a while to maneuver through the Casablanca Airport. So, allow yourself more time than you think you need. Or, purchase the Fast Track option if you are pressed for time.