Air Europa accelerates its expansion between Europe and Latin America with new routes and more frequencies
The airline is strengthening its network with increased capacity, new destinations, and a major fleet renewal, focusing on the transatlantic corridor as the cornerstone of its growth
At FITUR, Travel2latam spoke with Bernardo Botella, Sales and Distribution Director of Air Europa, about the strategic role of the fair, the company's growth in Latin America, new routes and the evolution of demand in the transatlantic market.
What does it mean for Air Europa to participate in an international trade fair like FITUR?
It's a great opportunity to meet with clients, partners, and operators, discuss new business opportunities, close deals, and strengthen our brand presence. Latin America is a key market for the company, and these kinds of events allow us to reinforce those relationships.
Which Latin American markets are showing the greatest growth in 2025 and 2026?
In 2025, we added three new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, increasing our fleet from 26 to 29 aircraft. This allowed us to grow primarily in flight frequencies.
We separated a route that was previously a triangular one, Madrid–Quito–Guayaquil–Madrid, and now operate direct flights to both destinations. We also expanded our service to Medellín, Panama City, Córdoba, and Asunción, which now has daily flights.
Córdoba now has a fourth weekly flight, and we operate daily flights to major cities like Buenos Aires. From Miami, we also fly daily to all major destinations.
What other developments are you driving in your international network?
Our reason for being is to connect Europe with America through Madrid, which serves as our distribution hub to major European cities.
In 2025, we launched the route to Istanbul from Madrid, expanding connectivity for passengers traveling from the Americas. This year, we added Geneva, a new route to Johannesburg starting in June, and within Spain, we added Seville and Oviedo, in Asturias.
How has demand evolved and how is the company adapting?
Demand is growing very strongly. Our load factors on routes to Latin America are among the highest in the network, and this year we are going to break our results record.
To support this growth, we are announcing the complete renewal of our long-haul fleet with the addition of between 43 and 50 Airbus A350s over the next few years. This transformation, which will take place over the next 8 to 10 years, will allow us to offer greater capacity, three classes of service (Business, Premium Economy, and Economy), and new routes in the future.
Why is the Europe-Latin America corridor so strategic for Air Europa?
It's a corridor with enormous potential. Not only for tourism, but also for the traffic of residents, families, workers, and the corporate sector.
The Latin American population in Spain and other European countries like Italy, Switzerland, and Germany is growing, generating a constant flow of travel. Furthermore, these markets share cultural and linguistic affinities, further strengthening this connection.
What role do travel agencies play in the company's distribution?
More than half of our total sales come from travel agencies. While direct sales continue to grow, the professional channel is key to our business.
The next step is the adoption of new distribution technologies, such as NDC, which we will begin to work on more intensively this year.
Finally, is there any additional news you'd like to highlight?
Turkish Airlines has signed an agreement to acquire between 25% and 27% of Air Europa's capital. This strategic alliance will generate significant synergies in routes and joint ventures in the future, once it receives approval from competition authorities.