Vueling keep an eye on the American destinations:
Vueling’s chairmain Alex Cruz said they are expecting to sign a code share agreement with Qatar Airways in 2014.
This will be the first agreement they sign with a non IAG airline. Currently they are already feeding passengers for Iberia and British Airways, and the Qatar’s entry into oneworld has made it easier.
However, Cruz said they keep an eye on the merger of US Airways and American Airlines and the opportunities that this will bring to Barcelona airport. This merger creates a hub for them with four American destinations: New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Charlotte. “Barcelona might keep gaining new destinations like Chicago or Dallas, which are very interesting”.
If this project comes true, Barcelona airport would be the second European airport in American passengers after London-Heathrow.
As for the company’s plans in Europe, they are expecting to lead Barcelona to the first place of the short and medium haul connections in Europe. Besides, they are confident that their new base in Rome makes a start for them to control the Italian market. To this respect they find many similarities between the way they are growing in Italy and how they did the same thing in Barcelona.
Photo: Vueling’s A320 in Valencia airport by Rob Wilson
Source: 02B
