Morocco kicked off its annual Marhaba transit operation on June 10, rolling out a reinforced reception and assistance system to handle an expected 3.6 million Moroccans living abroad returning for the summer, authorities said.
The Fondation Mohammed V pour la Solidarité, which oversees the humanitarian component of the operation alongside national partners, said in a statement it has activated the reception system simultaneously in Morocco and across key European transit countries including France, Spain and Italy.
The 2026 edition builds on measures introduced last year and relies on a network of 26 reception centers positioned along major transit routes used by the diaspora, according to the foundation.
Of these, 20 centers are located in Morocco at major ports such as Tanger Med, Tanger Ville, Al Hoceima and Nador Bni Nsar as well as the airports of Casablanca Mohammed V, Rabat-Sale, Marrakech Menara and Agadir Al Massira
Six additional Marhaba centers are operational in European ports in Genoa, Sète, Marseille, Motril, Almeria and Algeciras, the statement said.
The operation, running from June 10 to September 15, provides social assistance and medical care services aimed at supporting travellers during both arrival and return phases.
Speaking in parliament on June 9, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh said preparations for Marhaba 2026 have focused on strengthening maritime and air transport capacity, describing the operation as “the largest transit movement between two continents,” according to remarks reported by local media.
More than 65 airlines have been authorized to serve over 161 airports, mainly in Europe, as part of this year’s plan, Kayouh said, adding the goal is to ensure broad transport coverage and smooth travel conditions.
The minister also highlighted Morocco’s “Open Sky” policy, launched in 2006, which enables low-cost carriers to operate routes to and from the kingdom, expanding travel options for the diaspora.
