Rabat – Low-cost carrier Ryanair signed on Wednesday a partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) to launch new direct routes connecting Morocco’s southern city of Dakhla to Europe.
Starting in January 2025, two new routes will link Dakhla to Madrid, Spain, and Lanzarote — one of the Canary Islands — with two flights per week on each route.
This expansion will double the capacity of Dakhla’s airport, bringing it to nearly 47,000 seats, said ONMT in a press release. This expanded capacity is expected to boost the local tourism industry and provide a significant opportunity for the region to attract more international visitors.
These new routes are part of a broader effort to boost tourism in the region and make Dakhla more accessible to European travelers, with Spain becoming the leading outbound market for the city.
ONMT added that the new Madrid-Dakhla route is significant, as it will provide the first-ever direct connection between Dakhla and the Iberian Peninsula.
The signing ceremony of the partnership took place today in Dakhla, with the participation of Moroccan Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor and CEO of Ryanair Eddie Wilson.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ammor said that the inauguration of the two news routes “marks the beginning of a crucial phase in our tourism development strategy for this exceptional destination. It is also a strong signal of our commitment to working to enhance its connectivity and global visibility.”
With the new partnership with ONMT, Ryanair becomes the fourth air carrier to launch a direct international flight to Dakhla after Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Binter Canarias, and Transvia.
ONMT and Ryanair are planning joint promotional campaigns to highlight Morocco’s tourism potential and attract international visitors. These initiatives will focus on showcasing Dakhla’s natural beauty, culture, and adventure tourism opportunities.
This new collaboration builds on an earlier agreement Ryanair and ONMT signed in December 2023 to reinforce Morocco’s growing reputation as a must-visit tourist destination.
