Up to 1980, airport and air navigation services were directly managed by public administration -Transport Ministry -.  To improve their performance, government has set them autonomous by creating first airport management state owned company. The CAO -Casablanca Airports Office-, whose powers were initially limited to Casablanca airports, has known its dawn.

CAO :

CAO  has constituted new airport management system’s first stage: in compliance with late king Hassan II royal vision : "We have decided to develop, expand, and modernize network communication, multiply airports and upgrade them to the most prestigious western airports levels", March 3rd , 1981 throne speech. Moroccan authorities have set up Casablanca Airports Office (CAO), whose main mission was new Mohamed V air terminal management  - inaugurated in 1980 -. This first and positive airport management autonomy experience has nationally improved financial resources and staff skills stndards on one hand, and on another weaved privileged international relations, a positive outcome which has been first a determining factor in the decision of extending this experience to nationwide airports.

TRANSITION PERIOD :

In 1985, CAO was called to assist  airports whose situation required urgent intervention. Results have then triggered a second phase : CAO’s proficiency field widened up and, in 1987, a number of airports started operating (Fes, Marrakech, Rabat and Laayoune).

ONDA :

CAO prerogatives have gradually and progressively been extended to cover ultimately, in 1990, all airport's Air Navigation and services. This gradual competency reinforcement  stems from a deliberate choice and a strategic vision which has guaranteed aviation sector's management successful  independence. In 1990, by unanimous parliament vote, CAO became ONDA (Office National des Aeroports/National Airports authority). ONDA creation is success and evolution fruit  which were necessary for its birth. It’s development was crowned, in 1991, by Royal decision affiliating all Air Navigation services to ONDA, in order to consolidate its role for a larger action in favor of Air Aviation sector.