Casablanca – In a significant step to boost Dakhla’s position as a key Moroccan tourism destination, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) and Ryanair have inked a strategic agreement to enhance air connectivity between Dakhla and major European markets. The memorandum of understanding, signed on November 13, 2024, in Dakhla, will see the launch of two new direct flight routes starting January 2025. These routes will connect Dakhla with Madrid, Spain, and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, offering two flights per week.

Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, emphasized the importance of this move, calling it a “crucial step in our strategy to develop tourism in Dakhla, a destination renowned for its unique appeal and world-class water sports.” Ryanair’s CEO, Eddie Wilson, echoed her sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for expanding the airline’s network and boosting tourism flows to the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.

The new routes mark the first direct air connection between Dakhla and the Iberian Peninsula, with flights to Madrid’s Barajas Airport, a major European hub. The Lanzarote-Dakhla route will further strengthen connections with the Canary Islands, already a vital market for Ryanair due to its high connectivity with European destinations.

These new connections are set to double Dakhla Airport’s international capacity, raising the total number of available seats to nearly 47,000 and positioning Spain as the leading market for tourists traveling to Dakhla, surpassing France. Ryanair will become ONMT’s fourth partner to offer direct international flights to Dakhla, joining Royal Air Maroc, Binter Canarias, and Transavia.

The agreement extends beyond these initial routes, with plans to launch additional flights connecting Dakhla with key European cities. This enhanced connectivity is expected to attract more European tourists to Dakhla, promoting its growth as a tourist hotspot known for its pristine beaches, unique landscapes, and vibrant culture.

To support this effort, ONMT and Ryanair will collaborate on joint promotional campaigns to showcase Dakhla’s potential as a top Moroccan destination and raise awareness about the new routes.

This agreement builds upon a broader partnership between ONMT and Ryanair initiated in December 2023 and aligns with Morocco’s 2023-2026 Tourism Roadmap, which emphasizes air travel as a vital component of its growth strategy. Ryanair’s commitment includes a substantial investment in Morocco, with 14 aircraft based in the country, supporting over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs and strengthening economic development in key cities.