Ryanair launched a new flight connecting Madrid to Dakhla but this announcement has stirred controversy in the European Parliament, with some lawmakers questioning the legal implications of this new route.
European Member of Parliament Lynn Boylan, a member of the Left Group, has raised concerns by asking whether Ryanair is aware that the benefits of the Euro-Mediterranean air agreement between the EU and Morocco do not extend to flights operating to or from the Moroccan Sahara.
This agreement, which aims to gradually open the aviation market between the EU and Morocco, covers areas like air safety, passenger rights, and environmental standards.
But Boylan’s inquiry suggests that the flight to Dakhla might not fall under the agreement’s scope.
Despite the criticism, Ryanair and other European airlines such as Transavia and Binter have been operating flights to the Moroccan Sahara, a move signalling their recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.
These flights have been made possible through cooperation with Moroccan authorities and institutions like the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT).
In response to Boylan’s inquiry, European Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, confirmed that the EU-Morocco air agreement does not apply to routes to the Sahara.
Tzitzikostas referenced a European Court of Justice ruling which excludes flights between EU member states and the Sahara region.
Nonetheless, Ryanair’s decision to launch its new route from Madrid to Dakhla, along with another new service from Lanzarote to Dakhla, reflects the airline’s confidence in Morocco’s role in the region.
The new routes, which started operating in January 2025, are seen as a step in boosting Dakhla’s connectivity and reinforcing its position as an emerging global tourist destination.
Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Fatima Zahra Ammor, celebrated the launch, calling it a crucial part of the country’s strategy to develop Dakhla as a key tourist hub.
“This is a strong signal of our commitment to enhance the city’s international connectivity and put it on the global tourism map,” Ammor said.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.