This expansion follows a memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday in Dakhla, with Moroccan Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor and Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson in attendance. The four-season strategic partnership aims to drive long-term growth for Dakhla as a premier destination, with Ryanair committing to expand its network by adding two additional routes in the future.

In a statement to the press, Morocco's Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor emphasized that these new routes will enhance Dakhla’s air connectivity, capitalizing on the city’s rapid growth as a tourism hub and its appeal as a prime destination for water sports.

For his part, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson noted that the two new routes are expected to boost tourist flows to the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, expressing confidence that this move will lay the groundwork for expanding Ryanair’s network to Dakhla, which he described as an exceptional tourist destination.

In addition to the new Madrid and Lanzarote routes, Ryanair is set to add two more international connections in the future, further integrating Dakhla into Ryanair’s expansive international network.

Starting January, the first phase will bring two weekly flights on each of the Dakhla-Madrid and Dakhla-Lanzarote routes, marking Ryanair as the fourth ONMT partner with direct routes to Dakhla, alongside Royal Air Maroc, Binter Canarias, and Transavia.

Beyond these initial routes, the ONMT-Ryanair agreement outlines plans to enhance Dakhla’s accessibility from major European cities, opening up more opportunities for European travelers.

This expansion aligns with Morocco’s 2023-2026 Tourism Roadmap and ONMT’s "Light in Action" plan, which prioritize air transport as a critical growth lever for Moroccan tourism.