Moroccan Diaspora in Spain Cancels Summer Trips as Travel Costs Soar

For the second consecutive year, Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) and mainly those from Spain, will not spend their summer vacation in Morocco. For, officially, health reasons, Morocco has canceled the Marhaba Operation 2021, effectively excluding the Spanish ports. MREs wishing to return to Morocco will have to go through the ports of Sète in France and Genoa in Italy.

Failing that, the MREs from Spain, estimated at 869,661 and more than 300,000 Spaniards of Moroccan origin, had to rearrange their travel plans due to the high prices of tickets. "If in April or May the price of the flight per family could cost 400 euros, we are now talking between 1,500 and 2,000 euros. And it will continue to increase, because there is a limited supply for a high demand. We are told that in Belgium and the Netherlands, prices have also increased a lot," lament the MREs. "A flight to Morocco with Royal Air Maroc from July to August costs 1,358.92 euros per family. Other companies like Iberia or the "low cost" Ryanair have also increased their prices, although they do not reach 1,000 euros, the flights do not go below 600 or 700 euros per family, and only include hand luggage," they add.

Traveling with Balearia from Sète to Nador this summer, from July 10 to August 10, exceeds 2,111.48 euros for a family of two adults and two children, say MREs who also denounce the high prices of taxis and airport transportation.

Morocco’s maritime and land borders with Ceuta and Melilla remain closed. Flights to and from the kingdom will resume on June 15 under conditions. The state of health emergency has also been extended until July 10.