The Spanish carrier Air Europa has recently revealed it expects to incorporate 50 Boeing aircraft, including 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner models, in the next few years. These planes would be leased from companies such as AerCap and Avolon and enter the airline between 2024 and 2026.

New planes coming

Air Europa is looking to grow past the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic woes that almost brought the company down. Jesús Nuño de la Rosa, the airline’s recently appointed CEO, said that the airline is looking to become more efficient, earning the trust of clients, providers, leasing companies, and the Spanish government.

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In a recent interview with the Spanish media outlet Última Hora, Nuño de la Rosa said that the short-term plan for the company is to have a fleet composed of 50 aircraft. These planes would almost be equally distributed between Boeing 737 MAX (26 units) and Boeing 787 Dreamliners (24 units).

As of November 2022, Air Europa’s fleet is composed of 42 aircraft, including one Airbus A320-200, one A321-200, 18 Boeing 737-800s, ten 787-8s, and 12 787-9s. Earlier this year, Air Europa’s CEO said the plan is to close next year with a fleet of at least 61 planes.

An Air Europa aircraft
Photo: Getty Images.

Air Europa’s passenger recovery

According to data released by the Minister of Transportation, between January and August, Spain had 131 million passengers. Compared to 2019 levels, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain was down 16.2%, mainly due to a slower recovery of the international segment (-55%).

Air Europa is the fourth-largest carrier in Spain, with a 4.7% market share behind Ryanair, Vueling, and Iberia. The Globalia-owned airline carried 6.16 million passengers in the first eight months of the year. This number is 125% higher than in 2021 but 29.7% below the pre-pandemic traffic levels.

Domestically, Air Europa has a 10.1% market share, having carried 2.70 million passengers this year. The airline is below Vueling (8.68 million), Ryanair (4.89 million), and Iberia Express (2.88 million).

Within the European Union, Air Europa is the tenth most important carrier in Spain, with a 2.5% market share. It has carried 1.55 million passengers. Finally, in the international market outside of the European Union, Air Europa has carried 1.90 million passengers, holding a 4.4% market share; it has the sixth-largest share behind airlines like Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet, Iberia, and TUI Airways.

An Air Europa aircraft.
Photo: Air Europa

More destinations coming

Air Europa recently said it is looking to add new routes and destinations served from its base in Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD). The plan is to close the second half of the year with a “historic” gross operating profit of 160 million euros ($159.6m).

As reported by the Spanish news agency EFE, Air Europa plans to increase its long-haul connectivity to Latin America. For instance, it is looking to add new capacity in key destinations such as Asunción (ASU), Córdoba (COR), Panama City (PTY), and Medellín (MDE). Additionally, it is also analyzing new destinations in Chile, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Are you excited about Air Europa’s plans? Have you flown with the Spanish carrier? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Última Hora, ch-aviation.

  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker