Volotea has announced an expansion of its Verona (VRN) operations, increasing frequencies on two key routes for the summer 2025 season.Starting in April, the airline will:<ul><li>Increase flights to Paris-Orly (ORY) from four weekly to daily service.</li><li>Expand flights to Barcelona (BCN) from two to five weekly, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.</li></ul>Volotea highlighted that both cities are strategic European hubs, which will boost international traffic to Verona while providing more travel options for local passengers.<h3>Strengthening Presence in Verona</h3>Since establishing its Verona base in 2015, Volotea has worked to enhance air connectivity and support regional economic and tourism development, according to local tourism authorities.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="35198" data-title="You might be interested"></section>In 2024, Volotea reinforced its position at Verona-Catullo Airport, operating with a two-aircraft fleet and serving 14 destinations across Italy, Spain, Greece, France, and Germany.Company data shows that in 2024, Volotea:<ul><li>Transported approximately 700,000 passengers, an 18% increase from 593,000 in 2023.</li><li>Operated 4,283 flights, a 21% growth year-over-year.</li><li>Expanded its Verona-based workforce to over 90 employees.</li></ul>According to Cirium, Verona ranks as Volotea’s 11th most important base, accounting for 2.4% of its available seat-kilometers (ASK).<h3>Volotea’s Summer 2025 Destinations from Verona</h3>For summer 2025, Volotea will operate flights from Verona to:<ul><li>Italy: Alghero (AHO), Cagliari (CAG), Catania (CTA), Lampedusa (LMP), Olbia (OLB), Palermo (PMO), Pantelleria (PNL), Salerno (QSR).</li><li>Greece: Heraklion (HER), Zakynthos (ZTH).</li></ul>During the last winter season, the airline also operated flights to Berlin (BER), Comiso (CIY), Madrid (MAD), and Prague (PRG).

Volotea Expands Summer 2025 Operations in Verona with More Flights to Paris and Barcelona

The Córdoba Airport in Spain will experience expanded flight operations for the summer season of 2025, with the addition of flights operated by three airlines. Air Nostrum, Binter Canarias, and Vueling will offer new services that will strengthen the city's connection to major domestic destinations.• Air Nostrum will resume its route to Palma de Mallorca, operational from July 4 to September 1, 2024. • Binter Canarias will launch a new connection to Gran Canaria starting April 1, 2025. • Vueling will commence a direct service to Barcelona, beginning September 18, 2025.The growth of the airport is the result of collaboration between Aena, local institutions such as Turespaña and Turismo Andaluz, and a joint effort to promote tourism and boost economic activity in Córdoba. As part of this strategy, investments have been made in the airport's infrastructure, including the expansion of the terminal building, to accommodate the increase in operations.To incentivize more flights, Aena has implemented a plan that reduces the average fee per additional passenger by 70% compared to 2023. This program is designed to attract more airlines and improve the connectivity of the regional airport.In addition to enhancing tourism, Córdoba Airport plays a strategic role in healthcare and logistics. In 2023, it managed over 50 flights for the National Transplant Organization (ONT), consolidating its importance in regional and national operations.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="35379" data-title="You might be interested"></section>

Córdoba Airport Expands Domestic Routes with Air Nostrum, Binter, and Vueling in 2025

This Thursday, the ultra low-cost Ryanair announced that it will eliminate 12 routes in Spain during the summer 2025 schedule, resulting in 800,000 fewer seats. The airline attributes this decision to what it describes as the “excessive fees” imposed by the "Aena monopoly," which allegedly hinder traffic development at regional airports.According to Ryanair, many regional airports in Spain have the “necessary infrastructure and safety” but lack an “adequate pricing structure.”The newspaper La Región reports that Ryanair will stop operating routes to Cádiz and Valladolid, remove one aircraft based in Santiago de Compostela, and reduce traffic in Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%), and Santander (-5%).In response, Aena stated that “the arguments put forward by the Irish airline Ryanair to justify its route adjustments at Spanish airports are a carbon copy of its business strategy across Europe.”Aena emphasized that the average fee for airport services will remain frozen at 10.35 euros per passenger starting March 1, describing it as “one of the lowest in Europe.” They further noted that this allowed Ryanair to increase its activity at Spanish airports by 8.7%, transporting 66 million passengers last year.According to Aena, the current seat offering in Spain is expected to grow, despite Ryanair's reductions. They also highlighted commercial incentives at regional airports that reduce airport charges to 2 euros per passenger, available to all airlines. However, they pointed out that in larger cities with higher tourist traffic, Ryanair will pay higher fees.“Ryanair's constant, discourteous demands regarding Aena's airport fees could violate Law 18/2014, potentially making them illegal,” Aena warned, adding that they could also be considered State aid by the European Union.“Aena regrets that Ryanair uses spurious arguments, unrelated to Spain's actual airport fees, to mislead citizens and blatantly pressure public institutions,” they concluded.<h3>Ryanair's Network in Spain</h3>In January, Ryanair operates at numerous Spanish airports, including Asturias, Lanzarote, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Castellón, Corvera, Fuerteventura, Girona, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Santander, Seville, Tenerife North, Tenerife South, Valencia, Valladolid, Vigo, Vitoria, Jerez de la Frontera, and Zaragoza.

Ryanair Blames Aena for Route Reductions at Spanish Regional Airports

The expansion of El Prat airport, a topic debated for years, has encountered a new and unexpected obstacle: Casa Gomis. According to El Mundo, the Ministry of Culture has purchased this historic building for €7.2 million, intending to transform it into a cultural and environmental interpretation center. While this initiative preserves heritage, it also strategically complicates the airport expansion project promoted by Salvador Illa, the socialist president of the Generalitat.Casa Gomis, a rationalist architectural gem, is located in La Ricarda, a protected natural area that played a key role in halting the expansion in 2021. Back then, the comunes, led by Ada Colau and Yolanda Díaz, opposed Aena’s plans, citing environmental protection. Now, with the acquisition of Casa Gomis, history seems to be repeating itself. According to El Mundo, sources close to the comunes admitted, "this maneuver complicates matters significantly for Illa."The original proposal by Aena, supported by the central government, included a €1.7 billion investment to extend the third runway by 500 meters and construct a satellite terminal. However, the comunes are leveraging this acquisition as another argument against the project.<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/09/BARCELONA-AEROPUERTO-plano-extension-pista.jpg" alt="BARCELONA AEROPUERTO plano extension pista"></figure>Jordi Martí, Secretary of State for Culture and former close ally of Colau, has been identified as the driving force behind the purchase. Martí had previously aimed to incorporate Casa Gomis into cultural heritage during his time as a councilor but lacked jurisdiction since the property was in a neighboring municipality. With the backing of the Ministry of Culture, he has now achieved his goal, while also strengthening the comunes’ opposition to the airport expansion.In September, Illa reactivated the project, announcing the formation of a technical commission to draft a new plan to increase the airport's capacity. He intended to present progress in 2025, but Casa Gomis now adds to a growing list of political and environmental challenges.The comunes, according to El Mundo, remain firmly opposed to the project and are using this acquisition as a fresh argument to block it. What was envisioned as a technical advancement to enhance Catalonia's air connectivity is once again entangled in political disputes, environmental concerns, and cultural preservation strategies. According to El Mundo, this "master move" by the comunes not only complicates Illa’s efforts but also challenges aspirations to position the airport expansion as a pivotal opportunity for the region's economic development.

Historic Casa Gomis acquisition complicates El Prat expansion

A large deployment of the National Police at Sevilla-San Pablo Airport resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals and the investigation of 15 others linked to alleged illegal activities related to the taxi service at the terminal. The operation, named Aertase, was conducted with the collaboration of various police units, including the Information Brigade, Citizen Security, and the Police Intervention Unit (UIP).Authorities focused their investigation on the Asociación Hispalense Solidaridad del Taxi, an organization accused of monopolizing control over the airport taxi stand for more than 20 years. According to <a href="https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sevilla/policia-descabeza-mafia-taxi-aeropuerto_0_2003117225.html">El Día de Córdoba</a>, the entire board of directors of the organization, led by its president Antonio Velarde Borromeo, was among those detained. The charges include threats, coercion, property damage, and membership in a criminal organization.The Sevilla airport terminal, one of the most profitable for the sector due to its fixed fares, was reportedly the scene of intimidation and assaults against independent taxi drivers who attempted to operate outside the association's control. This group is also suspected of involvement in similar incidents elsewhere in the city, according to the El Día de Córdoba report.The alleged monopoly not only limited options for passengers and taxi professionals but also created a restrictive and hostile environment in the local transportation sector. This police operation marks a significant step toward dismantling these practices and restoring legality to an essential regional service. Authorities are currently evaluating legal actions against those involved.

National Police Operation Uncovers 20-Year Monopoly at Sevilla Airport Taxi Stand

Air Europa has been implementing OptiClimb technology, developed by SITA, since last summer to reduce fuel consumption during the climb phase of its flights. According to the airline, this tool, which utilizes artificial intelligence, enables savings of up to 3,000 tons of fuel per year and prevents the emission of 10,100 tons of CO2 annually.
OptiClimb provides personalized recommendations to crews on the optimal speed during the climb phase, based on historical aircraft data, operational flight plans, and weather forecasts, including wind conditions. These recommendations are sent to pilots during flight preparation and are applied to both Air Europa and Air Europa Express&#8217;s Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleets.
According to the company, during September, the 737 fleet saved 100 tons of fuel and reduced CO2 emissions by 312 tons, while the Boeing 787 achieved savings of 144 tons of fuel and 451 tons of emissions. These results were obtained after analyzing data from over 5,000 flights, with a recommendation application rate close to 80%.
The use of OptiClimb is part of Air Europa&#8217;s Flight 2030 project, which includes nearly 50 initiatives aimed at improving sustainability in environmental, economic, social, and governance areas. In addition to this technology, the airline has also begun implementing protocols such as SETI (Single Engine Taxi In) and SETO (Single Engine Taxi Out), which involve performing taxiing maneuvers with a single engine, reducing fuel consumption during these phases.
According to the company, these measures aim to improve operational efficiency and contribute to global efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector.

Air Europa Saves 3,000 Tons of Fuel Annually with AI-Powered OptiClimb Technology

The Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport is undergoing a series of upgrades to its facilities aimed at optimizing passenger flow, particularly for non-Schengen international flights. Aena reports that the works, which represent a total investment of €3.4 million, are already underway and include several key interventions.
<h3>New area for rental vehicles</h3>
The most significant project is the creation of a new parking area for rental vehicles without drivers, which will feature approximately 400 covered spaces on a 16,000-square-meter lot. This space will free up 246 spots in the general parking area for passenger use. According to Aena, this relocation will improve traffic flow at the airport&#8217;s access points by preventing the transit of vehicle transport trucks near the terminal building.
The project, awarded to the joint venture Aparcamientos Rent A Car for €2.79 million, has a completion timeline of 14 months.
<h3>Upgrades to the terminal building</h3>
Inside the terminal, three simultaneous projects are being carried out, awarded to Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos for €611,292:
<ul>
<li>Adaptation of Boarding Gate 1: This space will be adapted to handle both Schengen and non-Schengen flights simultaneously, facilitating passport control when necessary. The project, costing €78,943, has a four-month execution timeline.</li>
<li>Integration of the non-Schengen arrivals annex: The 290-square-meter area built in 2022 will be enclosed and integrated into the terminal building, with anti-return corridors and direct connection to the baggage claim area after passport control. The project, awarded for €194,007, will be completed within five months.</li>
<li>Expansion of the airside walkway and canopy: To improve pedestrian movement between aircraft and the terminal, the walkway will be widened, and the current canopy will be replaced. During construction, temporary walkways will be installed to ensure safety. This initiative, awarded for €338,341, also has a five-month timeline.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Works without affecting operations</h3>
According to Aena, all projects will be carried out without disrupting the airport&#8217;s regular operations, with work scheduled outside operational hours when necessary. These improvements follow the recent installation of a third security screening line, designed to handle peak-hour traffic.
In 2023, Santander Airport handled 1.24 million passengers, a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year, placing it as the 20th busiest airport in Spain.

Aena launches non-Schengen terminal upgrades at Santander Airport

On November 27, ENAIRE, Spain&#8217;s national air navigation manager, commissioned a three-dimensional primary radar at Gran Canaria Airport. This equipment, manufactured by Indra, has a range of 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) and complements the mode S secondary radar already in operation at the airport, according to the company.
The new technology will enhance coverage during approaches, takeoffs, and landings, as well as provide greater reliability in air surveillance in the event of aircraft transponder failures.
This radar is part of a broader project that includes the installation of three additional three-dimensional primary radars in different locations, with a total investment of 20.9 million euros.
According to ENAIRE, the new system replaces the primary radar installed in 2011 and represents a technological leap from a 2D system to a 3D one. The technology, based on electronic beams, allows for more precise altitude detection of aircraft, even in areas affected by interference from wind turbines.
<h3>Technical contribution and reinforcement of air safety</h3>
According to ENAIRE, this three-dimensional primary radar strengthens the surveillance systems in Gran Canaria, which already include secondary radar and ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance). These combined systems are essential to detect aircraft lacking transponders or those with signal issues, increasing safety in the airspace.
«The radio frequency signal emitted by the primary radar bounces off aircraft flying within its line of sight, with the echo being received by the radar itself. The time taken for the echo of the originally transmitted signal to return allows the calculation or measurement of the distance to the aircraft for each radial point of the radar antenna (rotating continuously at 360º). In this way, the position of the detected aircraft can be determined in terms of distance and azimuth (2D), according to conventional primary radar technology, particularly in the context of civil air surveillance,» ENAIRE explained in a statement.
«The adaptation of military 3D primary radar technology to the civil environment additionally allows the determination of the altitude of aircraft detected by the primary radar through the application of various techniques. One of these involves the use of a radiation diagram consisting of several electronic beams, sequenced over time. These beams have a narrower focus than conventional diagrams and are pointed at different elevations. This allows fine-tuning of the system configuration to reduce clutter, or unwanted signals reflected by the terrain, as well as determining altitude based on the beam through which each echo is detected, with altitude filters applied to limit abnormal effects on the radiofrequency signal due to proximity to wind turbines,» the statement continued.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/enaire-opens-applications-for-150-new-air-traffic-controller-positions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spain: ENAIRE to hire 150 air traffic controllers</a>
«In the context of civil surveillance, the primary radar provides an additional layer of safety as it enhances the reliability of the surveillance function compared to operating solely with detections from the secondary radar, the primary source of surveillance information. It enables the detection and tracking of aircraft in cases where, due to absence or failure of the onboard transponder, the aircraft cannot respond to secondary radar interrogations or automatically transmit ADS-B information,» ENAIRE concluded.
This is the second radar of its kind that ENAIRE has incorporated into its network as part of its strategy to meet European technological modernization requirements for air traffic management.
ENAIRE manages air navigation services across Spanish airspace, including 21 airports in the Aena network. Its functions include ensuring air traffic surveillance and control during en-route, approach, and aerodrome phases. It also participates in international alliances such as SESAR and CANSO.
The incorporation of this radar addresses the need to strengthen safety and surveillance in a strategic region like the Canary Islands, which is characterized by a high volume of air traffic and its importance as a link between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

ENAIRE Installs Advanced 3D Primary Radar at Gran Canaria Airport

As we reported in <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/level-expands-fleet-with-new-airbus-a330-200/">Aviacionline</a>, <a href="https://www.flylevel.com/">LEVEL</a> announced that this week it received the seventh aircraft in its fleet. The aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 registered as EC-OHY, debuted by operating a flight between Barcelona and Los Angeles. 
The EC-OHY arrived at the airline on December 14. The aircraft is 12 years old and previously belonged to Virgin Australia, which had initially received it on June 18, 2012, and retired it on March 9, 2020. Initially, it operated for Iberia on routes to Santo Domingo/Las Américas (SDQ) before performing its first flight with LEVEL on December 17.
The new A330 will enable LEVEL to expand its operations to the Americas, which have seen a 9% increase in seat capacity during the current winter 2024-2025 season compared to the same period last year.
This addition comes just a few days after LEVEL obtained its own <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/what-levels-new-aoc-means-for-its-autonomy-and-growth-in-the-aviation-market/">Air Operator Certificate (AOC)</a>, transitioning from being a commercial brand to becoming its own airline within IAG. As the group announced, the low-cost carrier plans to operate eight aircraft by 2026.
“The addition of this aircraft, the seventh in seven years since the company’s founding, reflects the positive growth moment LEVEL is experiencing. With this new aircraft, we can strengthen our current flight offerings to the Americas and continue working to enhance the long-haul connectivity of our operational base, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport,” said Rafael Jiménez Hoyos, CEO of LEVEL.
LEVEL’s seventh aircraft has the same configuration as the rest of its fleet, with 311 seats, divided into 42 in premium economy and 249 in economy.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-349374" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Flightmap-SFO-BCN-LAX-MIA-BCN-JFK_SCL-BCN-EZE_BOS-BCN.png" alt="" width="1200" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-SFO-BCN-LAX-MIA-BCN-JFK_SCL-BCN-EZE_BOS-BCN.png 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-SFO-BCN-LAX-MIA-BCN-JFK_SCL-BCN-EZE_BOS-BCN-300x150.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-SFO-BCN-LAX-MIA-BCN-JFK_SCL-BCN-EZE_BOS-BCN-768x384.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-SFO-BCN-LAX-MIA-BCN-JFK_SCL-BCN-EZE_BOS-BCN-150x75.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h3>LEVEL’s Destinations</h3>
The low-cost airline operates exclusively from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to seven destinations in the United States and South America. For now, no new destinations have been announced for 2025.
According to its website, during the northern winter 2024-25 season, it will operate the following frequencies:
<ul>
<li>Boston (BOS), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Buenos Aires (EZE), 8 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Los Angeles (LAX), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Miami (MIA), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>New York (JFK), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li> Santiago de Chile (SCL), 3 weekly flights.</li>
</ul>
And during the summer of 2025:
<ul>
<li>Boston, 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Buenos Aires, 7 weekly flights. </li>
<li>Los Angeles, 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Miami, 4 weekly flights.</li>
<li>New York, 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li> Santiago de Chile, 4 weekly flights.</li>
<li>San Francisco, 4 weekly flights.</li>
</ul>
It is worth noting that LEVEL has an interline agreement with Vueling, allowing it to offer connections to Europe, Africa, and Turkey through Barcelona.

LEVEL’s New Airbus A330 Enhances Long-Haul Operations from Barcelona

Binter Canarias announced that it will increase its capacity by 22% from Gran Canaria, reaching more than 772,500 seats across up to 29 direct routes—both domestic and international—during the summer season. In the domestic market, capacity will grow by 36%, consolidating connections with 19 Spanish cities.
The Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) will feature direct routes to Valencia (VLC) with four weekly flights, and Córdoba (ODB), Almería (LEI), and Badajoz (BJZ) with two flights per week. These routes will begin on March 30, 2025.
For the first time, Binter will operate at these four Spanish airports, expanding to sixteen destinations on the mainland, along with three in the Balearic Islands and seven in the Canary Islands. In Valencia, it will compete with Ryanair and Vueling, and on the route to Badajoz with Air Nostrum during the summer season.
Additionally, routes to Vigo (VGO) and Santander (SDR) will be reinforced with one additional frequency each, increasing to five and three weekly flights respectively.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-349370" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Flightmap-VLC-LPA-ODB-LEI-LPA-BJZ_SDR-LPA-VGO_MAD-LPA-GRX_ZAZ-LPA-RMU_OVD-LPA-PNA_IBZ-LPA-PMI_XRY-LPA-EAS_LCG-LPA-VLL_MAH-LPA.png" alt="" width="1200" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-VLC-LPA-ODB-LEI-LPA-BJZ_SDR-LPA-VGO_MAD-LPA-GRX_ZAZ-LPA-RMU_OVD-LPA-PNA_IBZ-LPA-PMI_XRY-LPA-EAS_LCG-LPA-VLL_MAH-LPA.png 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-VLC-LPA-ODB-LEI-LPA-BJZ_SDR-LPA-VGO_MAD-LPA-GRX_ZAZ-LPA-RMU_OVD-LPA-PNA_IBZ-LPA-PMI_XRY-LPA-EAS_LCG-LPA-VLL_MAH-LPA-300x150.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-VLC-LPA-ODB-LEI-LPA-BJZ_SDR-LPA-VGO_MAD-LPA-GRX_ZAZ-LPA-RMU_OVD-LPA-PNA_IBZ-LPA-PMI_XRY-LPA-EAS_LCG-LPA-VLL_MAH-LPA-768x384.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-VLC-LPA-ODB-LEI-LPA-BJZ_SDR-LPA-VGO_MAD-LPA-GRX_ZAZ-LPA-RMU_OVD-LPA-PNA_IBZ-LPA-PMI_XRY-LPA-EAS_LCG-LPA-VLL_MAH-LPA-150x75.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
“Binter consolidates itself as a leader in the Canary Islands-Mainland/Balearic corridor, facilitating both tourist arrivals and resident travel,” said Binter’s General Coordinator, Santiago Guerra.
In total, the airline will offer more than 1,375,000 seats on direct routes to and from the Canary Islands, representing a 30% growth compared to 2024 and marking the largest summer program in the company’s history.
“This year, we have introduced the highest connectivity in our history with 680 routes, 63 airlines, and 169 airports, which is now further expanded with Binter’s new routes,” stated Gran Canaria Tourism Councilor, Carlos Álamo.
<h3>Binter Canarias’ network expansion in 2025</h3>
In 2025, Binter will strengthen its presence in the national and international markets of the Canary Islands by incorporating 10 new routes and enhancing connectivity with existing destinations.
This week, the airline also announced six new routes from Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport (TFN), which will be connected to Valencia, San Sebastián (EAS), Pamplona (PNA), Granada (GRX), and Murcia (RMU). Flights will begin on March 30, 2025. Additionally, starting July 1, the airline will operate a new international route to Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Azores with one weekly frequency.

Binter Introduces 10 New Routes and Boosts Domestic Connections for Summer 2025

<a style="color: #3366ff;" href="https://www.aireuropa.com/">Air Europa</a> will become the second Spanish airline to launch flights to Turkey, connecting Madrid (MAD) and Istanbul (IST) starting May 12, 2025.
With this new route, it will join Vueling, which links Barcelona (BCN) and Istanbul (IST). Additionally, it will also become the 109th airline to operate at Istanbul International Airport.
Air Europa will break the duopoly of Turkish companies Turkish Airlines and Pegasus in Madrid. Initially, the airline will offer four weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily starting July 7, 2025. These flights will be operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, configured with between 333 and 339 seats, providing a capacity of 4,746 seats per week.
<ul>
<li>Flight UX 1683 MAD 09:10 &#8211; 13:55 IST</li>
<li>Flight UX 1684 IST 15:40 &#8211; 18:50 MAD</li>
</ul>
The schedule allows connections with its nineteen destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and two in the United States.
The market between Spain and Turkey is largely dominated by Turkish airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and SunExpress, which operate in six Spanish airports. In 2024, up to September, these companies transported 1,521,961 passengers.
Turkish Airlines flies from Istanbul (IST) to Barcelona (25 weekly flights), Madrid (24), Málaga (14), Valencia (14), and Bilbao (7), making it the leading airline in Spain.
Meanwhile, Pegasus operates from Sabiha Gökçen to Barcelona (10 weekly flights), Madrid (11), and Seville (5). Finally, SunExpress operates weekly flights from Izmir (ADB) to Madrid and Barcelona.

Air Europa Launches Flights Between Madrid and Istanbul Starting May 2025

ENAIRE announces a call for air traffic control personnel recruitment: the agency will add 150 professionals to its workforce. The recruitment of professionals is part of the strategic Flight Plan 2025.
The call will be open from December 16 to January 10, 2025, and those interested can register on <a href="https://empleo.enaire.es/empleo?_gl=1*zx8jnw*_ga*MTcwMzAyOTQzNi4xNzM0NDY1NjY5*_ga_6BWPFHBF33*MTczNDQ3ODU5Ny4zLjAuMTczNDQ3ODU5Ny42MC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noopener">ENAIRE&#8217;s official website through this access link</a>. The announcement was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), marking the fourth open call since 2021, offering a total of 468 job positions to date.
The director general of ENAIRE, Enrique Maurer, stated that “with this new call for 150 positions, a total of 468 new air traffic controller jobs will have been created since 2021. This is a clear commitment by ENAIRE to providing a quality service.”
On the ENAIRE website, an updated syllabus for the acceptance exam was published. The exam will include a test on English, aptitude, and personality in Phase 1. Once the selection process is completed and successfully passed, possessing an air traffic controller license or a student air traffic controller license will be required for employment. Candidates without prior experience must complete an initial training course that will qualify them for the profession of air traffic control.
Once hired by ENAIRE, they must complete a Unit training course lasting approximately 3 to 6 months, depending on the assignment, which will enable them to provide air traffic control services at the assigned location.

ENAIRE Opens Applications for 150 New Air Traffic Controller Positions

<a href="http://www.flylevel.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LEVEL</a> received a new Airbus A330-200, reaching a total of seven aircraft in its fleet. The airline, part of the IAG Group, recently obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), enabling it to separate its operations and fares from Iberia.
The Airbus A330-200 EC-OHY arrived at the company on December 14. The aircraft is 12 years old and was previously operated by Virgin Australia, which received it on June 18, 2012, and retired it on March 9, 2020.
The arrival of this new aircraft will strengthen the programming of its transatlantic flights, reaching seven destinations across the Americas. From its base at Barcelona El Prat International Airport (BCN), it flies to Buenos Aires (EZE), Santiago de Chile (SCL), Miami (MIA), Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO).
The current fleet of LEVEL consists of seven wide-body aircraft, all Airbus A330-200 models. In its early years, the company operated Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft for flights within Europe, but in 2020, it decided to focus exclusively on long-haul routes to the Americas.
<h2>LEVEL&#8217;s new AOC</h2>
LEVEL, the long-haul airline of the IAG group based in Barcelona, has obtained its <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/what-levels-new-aoc-means-for-its-autonomy-and-growth-in-the-aviation-market/">Air Operator Certificate (AOC)</a>, transitioning from being a commercial brand to operating autonomously as an independent airline, granting it greater flexibility to meet its strategic goals. Until now, LEVEL operated under Iberia&#8217;s AOC.
With this milestone, LEVEL gains its own identity within IAG, aligning its operational model with that of the group’s other airlines, such as Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, and Aer Lingus. The AOC, they affirm, also has a direct and indirect economic impact on Catalonia, emphasizing job creation both in offices and among crew members.
According to the company, the process of obtaining the AOC involved doubling its office staff, forming a new Operations team, and hiring technical and cabin crews. Additionally, LEVEL stated that the certification meets the safety standards established by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) and that the airline’s operations are financially sustainable, backed by the operating license granted by the same agency.

LEVEL Expands Fleet with New Airbus A330-200

Air Europa Express has requested approval from the United States Department of Transportation for the implementation of a codeshare agreement with Delta Air Lines, allowing Delta to place its “DL” code on flights operated by the Globalia airline subsidiary within European Union member states.
This codeshare complements the long-standing agreement between Air Europa and Delta Air Lines, which was authorized in September 2011. Both airlines will notify the DOT within 30 days prior to initiating any codeshare service to/from regions outside the European Union or on routes for which they do not hold any other authority.
Air Europa Express proposes to initiate the codeshare agreement once the necessary approvals have been obtained. This agreement aligns with the Open Skies treaty between the United States and the European Union, while Delta plans to provide codeshare services to additional destinations within the European Union.
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/sky-airline-partners-with-air-europa-simplified-travel-to-over-30-latin-american-destination/">Air Europa signs interline agreement with SKY and will offer daily flights between Madrid and Medellín</a>

Air Europa Express Seeks Codeshare Agreement with Delta for European Flights

SKY Airline and Air Europa have signed an interline agreement that will allow passengers to connect between Europe and more than 30 destinations in Latin America, simplifying the purchase of a single ticket and a single check-in process. Additionally, as part of its expansion strategy in the region, the Spanish airline announced the addition of a daily flight between Medellín (MDE) and Madrid (MAD) starting in June 2025.
The interline agreement will allow Air Europa passengers to fly to and from Lima, connecting with the 11 domestic destinations operated by SKY Perú, including Cusco, Arequipa, and Iquitos. In Chile, passengers will be able to reach Santiago from cities such as Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo, and Salvador de Bahia, with the option to continue to 15 domestic destinations in Chile operated by SKY.
Julio Solar, SKY’s Manager of Strategy, Network, and Alliances, stated: “We are very pleased to connect our network with that of Air Europa, an airline with a solid presence between Spain and America. This collaboration will allow us to connect 13 Peruvian cities with Air Europa’s flights between Madrid and Lima, as well as multiple options to connect Chile and Europe through our regional partners.”
This year, SKY signed interline agreements with Aerolíneas Argentinas and <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/sky-airline-and-air-france-klm-sign-interline-agreement-covering-over-30-destinations-in-latin-america/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Air France/KLM</a>, strengthening its offering in the region in partnership with legacy airlines.
Air Europa reported 12% growth in 2024, consolidating its position as a key player in transatlantic connectivity. In Colombia, one of its most important markets, the airline announced the operation of a daily flight on the Medellín-Madrid route starting in June 2025.
Meanwhile, the Montevideo-Madrid route will see an increase in frequencies, further improving options for Uruguayan passengers.
<h3>Benefits for passengers</h3>
Travelers will soon be able to purchase their tickets through Air Europa’s sales channels, combining itineraries from both airlines into a single ticket. The agreement will simplify travel by allowing a single check-in for the entire journey. The alliance strengthens SKY’s presence as a key operator in South America and expands Air Europa’s offering in the region, facilitating connectivity with cities in Chile, Peru, and other strategic points such as Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and São Paulo.

SKY Airline Partners with Air Europa: Simplified Travel to Over 30 Latin American Destination

Iberia Express will increase its capacity between December 19 and January 8 with 166 additional flights and more than 28,000 extra seats on routes to the Balearic and Canary Islands, aiming to meet the demand for family and tourist travel during the Christmas season.
According to the company, the largest reinforcement is concentrated on routes to the Canary Islands, where 126 additional flights will be offered, a 12% increase compared to the base schedule, representing 23,000 extra seats. Tenerife leads the increase with 38 extra flights —14 to Tenerife North and 24 to Tenerife South— followed by Gran Canaria with 36 flights, Lanzarote with 22, Fuerteventura with 18, and La Palma with 12.
On connections to the Balearic Islands, Iberia Express will add 40 additional flights, representing a 9% increase over the initial offering. The route to Mallorca will benefit the most, with 30 extra flights and 6,000 additional seats, a 10% increase compared to the scheduled program. Additionally, the company will add 10 flights on the route between Madrid and Menorca, which accounts for more than 1,700 extra seats.
“Christmas is a time when connectivity becomes even more relevant. For this reason, we have reinforced our main routes to offer our customers a greater variety of schedules and connection options, thus facilitating their travel,” highlighted Isabel Rodríguez, Iberia Express Commercial Director.
On the international front, Iberia Express will also strengthen its capacity with 3,500 additional seats on key routes. According to the company, connections to Marrakech will see a 14% increase and those to Dublin will grow by 11%, while Berlin and London will also experience capacity increases.

Iberia Express sumará más de 28.000 asientos adicionales en Baleares y Canarias durante fin de año

<a href="https://www.volotea.com">Volotea</a> announced its growth plans for 2025 in Spain, where it expects seat capacity to exceed 9% compared to the previous year.
Volotea’s offer will increase from 3.3 million seats in 2024 to 3.6 million in 2025. The airline’s bases in Spanish territory, in Bilbao and Asturias, operate with five aircraft. During the summer season, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, and Menorca will be the most prominent destinations, according to Cirium data.
In total, Volotea operates 123 routes in Spain, with more than 17,000 annual flights across 23 airports. The airline directly employs about 720 people and generates over 4,000 indirect jobs throughout the country.
Looking ahead to 2025, Volotea will continue expanding its network in Spain with three new routes: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/volotea-announces-new-direct-route-from-asturias-to-cadiz-starting-april-2025/">Asturias-Jerez,</a> <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/voloteas-2025-expansion-plan-new-routes-and-jobs-for-bordeaux-base/">Barcelona-Bordeaux</a> and Bilbao-Palermo.
“Spain is and will continue to be a key and strategic market for Volotea, where we have two operational bases and fly to more than 20 airports. Our planned offer for 2025 of more than 3.6 million seats across over 120 routes will be the highest since we began operations in 2012, allowing us to reach the figure of more than 17 million passengers transported to and from the country”, stated Gabriel Schmilovich, Chief Strategy Officer of Volotea.
Volotea attributes its growth to improvements in connectivity, punctuality, and service quality, from ticket purchase to the onboard experience. The company reported a global Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 38.1 points through November 2024, approaching its target of 40 points by year-end. This indicator is key for measuring customer satisfaction in the industry.

Volotea Adds New Routes and Boosts Capacity by 9% in Spain for 2025

<a style="color: #339966;" href="https://www.bintercanarias.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Binter</a> and the Cabildo of Tenerife have unveiled an ambitious expansion plan for the upcoming year, which includes the launch of six new direct routes from Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport (TFN). According to the company, this program will increase seat availability from the island by 48%, exceeding 838,000 annual seats.
Among the newly announced connections are five destinations on the Spanish mainland: Valencia, San Sebastián, Pamplona, Granada, and Murcia. Flights will commence on March 30, 2025. Valencia will have four weekly frequencies, while the other cities will have two weekly frequencies each. Additionally, starting July 1, the airline will operate a new international route to Ponta Delgada in the Azores with a weekly frequency. The current connection with Jerez de la Frontera will also be reinforced, adding a third weekly frequency.
<h4>Increased connectivity and strategic projection</h4>
According to the Cabildo of Tenerife, these routes are part of a strategy to strengthen the island&#8217;s connectivity both nationally and internationally. Lope Afonso, Vice President and Tourism Councilor, emphasized that “these new routes consolidate Tenerife&#8217;s leadership position in the national market and improve mobility expectations for island residents.” He also highlighted that Binter&#8217;s expansion will create “new opportunities for the local economy and job creation.”
Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism, praised the collaboration between the Cabildo and the airline as pivotal for this growth. According to Melwani, the new routes and the investment in a state-of-the-art fleet contribute to “positioning Tenerife as a benchmark for connectivity and leadership in national and international markets.”
Binter noted that these routes will be operated using Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which, according to the airline, are the quietest, cleanest, and most efficient in their class. These planes feature a configuration that eliminates middle seats and provides more legroom. Additionally, all passengers will enjoy onboard service that includes gourmet snacks.
The company will also facilitate connections between these national flights and its inter-island routes, thanks to the more than 200 daily operations it conducts within the Canary Islands. According to Binter, this will allow passengers to reach any island in the archipelago at no extra cost for connecting flights.
Tickets for the new routes are now available through the airline&#8217;s usual sales channels: its website, the Binter app, the customer service hotline, travel agencies, and airport offices. Travelers can check prices and conditions through any of these points.

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Volotea Adds New Routes and Boosts Capacity by 9% in Spain for 2025

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