Record 3.4 Million Moroccans Abroad Return Home in Summer Transit Operation

According to data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, 3,442,770 MREs, or 6.9% more than in 2023, and 847,429 vehicles, an increase of 9.3%, traveled from Spain to Morocco and vice versa between June 13 and September 15, as part of the 2024 Marhaba Operation.

The department led by Fernando Grande-Marlaska states that this is the highest figure recorded in the 30-year history of the Transit Operation.

The Operation took place "in a fluid and safe manner" and without incident, the ministry said in a statement released on Monday, noting that a total of 12,012 ship rotations, an 8.4% increase over 2023, were recorded during this edition. The Marhaba Operation is "the most complex and unique that takes place between two continents," the Interior added.

The Marhaba Operation aims to facilitate the return to Morocco in the summer of MREs from Europe via the Spanish, French and Italian ports, to spend their holidays there. It takes place every year from June 15 to September 15.