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Ryanair has initiated its first flights to Western Sahara, marking a significant expansion into the disputed territory. The airline launched services to Dakhla from Madrid on January 8 and subsequently from Lanzarote three days later. These routes are novel additions to Ryanair's network, which already spans 240 airports across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Western Sahara was under Spanish control until 1975 when it became part of Morocco. However, the United Nations still considers it a non-self-governing territory. Ryanair lists Dakhla as a Moroccan destination in its booking system, aligning with Morocco's claim over the region.
The new routes to Dakhla have not been previously served despite historical ties between Spain and Western Sahara. Most air traffic to Dakhla comes from France, particularly Paris. Ryanair is offering one-way fares for less than £15 (US$18) on these routes as an incentive to stimulate demand.
