Those who buy ticket for a Ryanair flight hopes to find the plane practically crowded. At least, this is the scenario that is usually seen in a vast majority of flights operated by the Irish airline. However, Ryanair has inaugurated this year a new route that has flights twice a week and, contrary to what usually happens, are almost always empty.
Ryanair airline launched in January 2025 a new route between Lanzarote, Canary Islands, and Dakhla, a city located in a Peninsula in the Western Sahara territory, currently under Morocco control. This connection, which operates twice a week, quickly drew attention not for its popularity, but for the surprisingly low occupancy rate.
DAKHLA: A disputed destination
According to data released by the portal, Dakhla is a city that, although controlled by Morocco, does not have its internationally recognized sovereignty. The new Ryanair route covers a distance of 624 kilometers and is scheduled to continue operating by the end of this year.
What makes this connection particularly unusual is that it connects two relatively small tourist destinations. Even more remarkable is the reduced number of passengers that uses it. Spanish aviation official statistics show weak adherence to the service.
Undergoing occupancy rate
In January, the premiere month of the route, the average occupancy rate was only 13.69%. In March, when an increase in demand was expected, the occupation fell to 9.05%, leaving the planes virtually empty, with over 90% of places to fill.
For comparison purposes, Ryanair also started a connection between Madrid and Dakhla, which, although with ‘modest’ numbers, recorded better results. In January, this route had a 56.81% occupation factor, descending to 31.94% in March.
We recommend:
Contrast with the company’s global average
These values contrast with Ryanair’s average occupancy rate in its global system, which in March reached significant 93%. This deviation raises questions about the commercial viability of the operation for Dakhla, which does not seem to be attracting the expected number of passengers.
The reason for the continuity of this connection may reside in a subsidy by the Moroccan government. According to the information available, this route is part of an agreement with the National Tourism Office of Morocco, which aims to boost tourism in the region.
Official announcement of the new routes
In December 2024, the Minister of Tourism of Morocco announced on social networks the creation of new routes with Ryanair. “I am very happy to announce that, from January 2025, Ryanair will operate new routes that will connect Dakhla to Madrid and Lanzarote,” said the minister.
The political official also pointed out that these weekly flights would add 16,000 new places and increase transportation capacity for Dakhla by describing this expansion as an important step in turning the city into a reference destination for water sports.
Offer does not correspond to demand
Although the offer of places has, in fact, increased, the numbers reveal that the demand is still short of the expected. Airplanes continue to travel with many places to fill, which contrasts with the enthusiasm shown at the time of the ad.
The use of subsidies to maintain air routes is not a new practice. In various parts of the world, governments financially support air connections to develop tourism or serve isolated populations, a strategy that may be being applied in this specific case.
Also read:
