RAK and GMMX: the codes for Marrakech Airport
Three letters on your ticket, four on flight plans. Here is what they mean, where that "RAK" that looks nothing like the city name comes from, and the confusions to avoid when booking.
RAK: the IATA code
RAK is the three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association. It is what you see on tickets, bag tags and display boards, and it designates Marrakech Menara Airport.
Why RAK rather than MAR or MRK? Because IATA codes are allocated by availability, not by linguistic logic: MAR and MRK were already taken elsewhere. RAK simply reuses three consonants from "Marrakech", as AGA does for Agadir or CMN for Casablanca Mohammed V.
GMMX: the ICAO code
GMMX is the four-letter code of the International Civil Aviation Organization, used by air traffic controllers, flight plans and aviation weather services. Its structure is geographic: GM identifies Morocco, the last two letters the aerodrome.
You will never use it to book, but you will come across it in flight-tracking apps and aviation weather reports.
The other Moroccan airports, to avoid errors
| Airport | IATA | ICAO | From Marrakech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech Menara | RAK | GMMX | — |
| Casablanca Mohammed V | CMN | GMMN | 240 km |
| Agadir Al Massira | AGA | GMAD | 250 km |
| Essaouira Mogador | ESU | GMMI | 180 km |
| Ouarzazate | OZZ | GMMZ | 200 km |
| Fes Saiss | FEZ | GMFF | 530 km |
| Rabat Sale | RBA | GMME | 320 km |
Booking into CMN believing you will land in Marrakech. Casablanca Mohammed V is the country's main airport and often tops search results — but it is 240 kilometres away, about two and a half hours by road or a train ride from Casa-Voyageurs. Always check the three letters before paying.
Marrakech Menara in brief
- Official name: Marrakech Menara Airport, after the nearby Menara gardens.
- Location: 6 km south-west of the centre, at 471 metres above sea level.
- Runway: a single 3,100-metre runway.
- Traffic: more than 9.3 million passengers in 2024.
- Terminals: two adjoining halls, linked on foot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the code for Marrakech Airport?
RAK is the IATA code that appears on your ticket and bag tags, and GMMX is the ICAO code used by air traffic control and flight plans.
Why is Marrakech Airport called RAK?
IATA codes are allocated by availability rather than linguistic logic: MAR and MRK were already in use elsewhere. RAK reuses three consonants from "Marrakech", as AGA does for Agadir or CMN for Casablanca.
What does GMMX mean?
It is the ICAO code for Marrakech Menara. Its structure is geographic: GM identifies Morocco and the last two letters the aerodrome. It is used for flight plans and aviation weather, never for bookings.
Which airport should not be confused with RAK?
CMN, Casablanca Mohammed V, which often tops search results for Morocco but lies 240 kilometres from Marrakech, about two and a half hours by road. Check the three letters before paying.