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3 clusters · 12 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: BUSINESS · POLITICS

Vueling expands and restores routes in Spain

Entities: Granada · White Airways · Vueling · Bilbao · Volotea

Overview

In late July 2026, low‑cost carrier Vueling secured a three‑year contract with the Granada provincial tourism board to operate direct flights from Granada‑Jaén Airport to Bilbao and Valencia. The agreement provides 104 weekly frequencies on the Bilbao route and 82 to Valencia, aiming to boost tourism and regional connectivity as part of Vueling’s broader “Rumbo 2035” growth plan.

Vueling’s winter schedule added over 1.5 million seats, introduced four new Italian destinations from Bilbao, and reinstated a second daily London‑Heathrow service. The airline also announced the restoration of the Bilbao‑Granada link, scheduling two weekly flights each way from 25 October to support holiday and business travel.

At the same time, Bilbao Airport became a flashpoint in Basque politics as the naming dispute over former lehendakari Juan José Agirre intensified. Amid the controversy, Vueling unveiled its eighth aircraft based at Bilbao, raising local staff from 156 to 186. The airline highlighted its roughly €600 million annual contribution to the Basque GDP and the creation of about 8,000 direct and indirect jobs, reinforcing Bilbao’s role as Vueling’s second‑most important hub after Barcelona.

Timeline

  1. 1 day ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Spanish airlines Volotea cancellations and Vueling route revival affect passengers

    Volotea cancelled an Asturias‑Málaga flight, leaving passengers stranded, while Vueling will restart Bilbao‑Granada service from 25 Oct with twice‑weekly flights.

  2. 7 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Bilbao Airport faces naming dispute while Vueling expands operations

    Bilbao Airport is embroiled in a naming dispute tied to Basque identity while Vueling adds a new aircraft, boosting local jobs and contributing €600 million annually to the regional economy.

  3. 7 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    Vueling to launch new Granada‑Bilbao and Granada‑Valencia routes as part of expansion

    Vueling will operate new Granada‑Bilbao and Granada‑Valencia flights from late 2026 under a three‑year contract, while also expanding its Bilbao network this winter with additional routes and restored Granada‑B

Sources

cronicadecantabria.com · deia.eus · diariodejerez.es · elidealgallego.com · fundacioncompromiso.org · granadaeconomica.es · hosteltur.com · laopinioncoruna.es · nortexpres.com · noticiasdemalaga.es · ocio.lne.es · que.es