The National Airports Office (ONDA) on Monday confirmed that there were no disruptions to air traffic in Oujda despite heavy rain, with all flights proceeding as scheduled and no cancellations, thanks to the availability of two operational runways.
The Oriental region, particularly the city of Oujda and its surroundings, experienced severe flooding and inundation caused by a downpour that lasted from Saturday night well into Sunday.
Oujda Airport and its airport facilities were engulfed by water during this period, but quick action by authorities ensured that operations at the airport remained largely unaffected.
The ONDA issued a statement acknowledging the challenges posed by the weather. While some departing flights did experience delays during the early hours of Sunday, there were no major disruptions to flight schedules.
Airport authorities opted to keep the airport open to avoid inconveniencing the local community, particularly with respect to their return to work and the beginning of the school year.
ONDA staff and service providers worked alongside civil protection forces, local authorities, regional services, and the municipality of Oujda to drain the water from the airport platform and its affected facilities, ensuring that the airport continued its operations.
The rain also resulted in flooding and inundations in the tributaries near Oujda-Angad Airport, leading to the temporary closure of roads connecting the airport to the cities of Oujda and Beni Drar.
In addition, several homes in the areas adjacent to the airport and a large supermarket sustained damage caused by the heavy downpour.
