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Tag Archives: Iberia

Ryanair doubled their advantage over Vueling Airlines

Strait of Gibraltar view from a Ryanair’s plane / flickr.com

In March of last year Vueling was about to catch Ryanair as the main operator in the Spanish airports. This morning, thirteen months later, Preferente.com informed that Ryanair doubled their advantage with regard to the Spanish airline. They served 1.4 million more passengers than Vueling between January and March 2015. This nearly doubles the 800,000 passenger difference they had over Vueling within the first quarter of 2014. So far this year, Ryanair has transported 4.7 million passengers, which is a 870,000 passenger increase (22.8%). Vueling has transported 3.2 million travelers, up 250,000 passengers (8.2%) with regard to the same period in 2013. After…

Plus Ultra aiming to start operations in the first quarter of 2015 Airlines,Startups

A9C-LG A343 in a basic Gulf Air color scheme before being painted as Plus Ultra by John Taggart / Wikimedia Commons

It’s been three months since Plus Ultra received its first airplane- an A340, previously property of Gulf Air, but Plus Ultra still doesn’t have its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). This is the reason why the plane remains parked at the Iberia facilities in Madrid´s airport with the ensuing expense. According to preferente.com, the long range flight airline propelled by the ex-executive of Air Madrid Julio Martínez, is spending between 1,000 and 2,000 Euros daily on keeping the A340 indoors, according to the marketing manager Rony Nahón. The sum changes depending on the place the plane occupies since it “sometimes has…

Happy days for Madrid airport Airports

Barajas Airport overview. Photo taken in 2005..

It was in February when we anticipated there were different signals which made us believe that Madrid airport and Iberia might be back. After bad times for both, it looks like things are improving significantly. On August 14 we shared the information that Iberia seemed to be already in good shape. Today, let’s go through the Adolfo Suárez Madrid – Barajas Airport current situation. Madrid airport is back to profitability As we had already informed, Aena managed to double the number of profitable airports in 2013. Together with Madrid, also Alicante, Fuerteventura, Girona, La Palma, Tenerife North and Valencia left losses to get…

Plus Ultra got their first A340 Startups

Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas / plusultra.com

On Monday, Sep 1 Plus Ultra received in Madrid their Airbus A340-313X 9Ac-LG, serial number 212. This is the first aircraft officially incorporated to their fleet. However, the airline still lacks an Air Operator’s Certificate. This has been confirmed by Rony Nahon – commercial director for Plus Ultra – to Preferente.com. Nahon used to work for Air Madrid. Plus Ultra may be one of the Spanish startups which gestation period is longest: almost five years. According to Flynews, this A340 together with the 9AC-LH serial number 215 – also intended for Plus Ultra – have been parked in Amman (Jordan) where they were…

Iberia in good shape Airlines

Iberia A330 EC-LYF, with the new livery, getting out of the fog / Flickr - Curimedia | photography

In February, we anticipated that Iberia was working on an aggressive plan, after a deep restructuration. In fact, that restructuration goes on. ElMundo informed on July 24 that Iberia has reached an agreement with the Unions on a voluntary layoff for 1,427 employees. This will affect to handling staff and pilots, but not to cabin crew members. The process is expected to have been completed by 31 December 2017.To that respect, on August 11 Preferente.com informed that some of the items in that layoff have been contested before the National High Court by one of the unions (CTA).However, IAG is happy with the Iberia’s…

Aena Privatisation: Competition disagrees, Ryanair interested Airports,Regulations

Ryanair and Iberia in competition

As soon as the Aena privatisation was definitely confirmed by the Minister many thoughts, interpretations and declarations have appeared in the Spanish media. Since this is something that we have been following very closely, we have extracted some pieces of news which may be relevant to the subject.The National Competition Commission disagreesFirst of all, ElMundo.es published a thorough article informing that the Spanish Competition Commission is not happy with the privatisation as it has been planned by the Government. In their view, it will not benefit the industry to keep the airport net monopoly. For Competition it would be better to separate Aena in…

Canary Islands expect strong grows for winter 2014 Airports,FC Tools

Aircraft connected to airbridge at Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas airport / daniele paccaloni

According to the data we have just uploaded to our Customized Airport Statistics Canary Islands expect strong grows for winter 2014. If we compare the actual offered seats in winter 2013 with the current offered seats in winter 2014 based on the coordinated slots, we find heavy increases of 15-20% in most of the Canary Islands airports.Canary Islands airports are the most congested Spanish airports for next winter 2014 season. Please find below some highlights. For further information you can go into our application (only for registered clients) and make your own inquires (who operates which route, etcetera).All the figures below refer…

AECFA and New Tax starting 15th of September Airports,Charges,Regulations

Aena logos at Barcelona airport / Lali Masriera

Last Tuesday 17th of June, Spanish Ministry of Fomento (Development) designated Asociación Española para la Coordinación y Facilitación de Franjas horarias (AECFA) as Slot Coordinator and Facilitator of the Spanish Airports within the Aenanet. Further to our post of 20th of January this change in the coordinator is in order to meet the European Regulation 95/93 about slot coordination in European airports which pretends an independent coordination from airlines and airports. The new association is primary made up of Aena (50%) and a number of airlines (50%): Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, Air Nostrum, Air Europa, Ryanair, Swiftair, Thomson Airways, Condor, Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd., Binter Canarias , Naysa and Canair The assignation of AECFA as Spanish coordinator and Mr….

Madrid charges: Agreement for reduction Charges

Iberia aircrafts at Madrid airport / jmiguel rodriguez

The President of the Madrid Autonomous Region, Mr. Ignacio González, announced yesterday that an agreement with Iberia and Aena has been reached to reduce Madrid charges. Adolfo Suárez, Madrid-Barajas is the airport’s brand new name. González anticipated that 17 new routes will be opened.Last week, the Minister of Development, Ms. Ana Pastor, had met Mr. González, the Madrid Mayor – Ms. Ana Botella – and Mr. Luis Gallego – Iberia’s chairman, to promote air traffic in Madrid airport.During the meeting, also attended by the AENA’s chairman Mr. José Manuel Vargas, representatives of the Ministry of Development, the City Hall and the Autonomous Region,…

Vueling about to catch Ryanair as the largest operator in Spain Airlines

Vueling aircraft landed / Aero Icarus

The latest stats published by Aena leave Vueling about to catch Ryanair. So far in 2014, the Irish low cost airline has lost activity in Spain by 14.70%, serving 2.9 million passengers. However, Vueling increased by 22.6% between January and February reaching 2.8 million users. With this, Vueling has almost removed the difference that Ryanair had in the first two months of 2013: it was 1.11 million passengers and has become only 0.01 million customers now.It is difficult to foresee whether the Vueling’s approach will be consolidated as most of the Ryanair’s reduction has taken place during the winter season, when…