Air Europa has inaugurated its new route between Madrid and Istanbul, operated with its flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The inaugural flight, which departed on Monday from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport at 09:30 and landed in Istanbul with over 85% occupancy, marks a key milestone in the airline’s international expansion strategy.
The company, an aviation subsidiary of Globalia, has started with four weekly flights and will scale up to daily operations beginning in July. This new connection will offer over 247,000 annual seats and transport up to 7,500 tons of cargo per year, with an estimated occupancy rate exceeding 80%.
During the inaugural event in Istanbul, Air Europa’s CEO, Jesús Nuño de la Rosa, emphasized the strategic importance of this new destination: “Connecting Madrid with Turkey is much more than opening a new route. It reflects our commitment to linking America not only with Europe but also with the entire Mediterranean region.”
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This vision was echoed by Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of Istanbul Airport, who highlighted the route’s potential to strengthen tourism, trade, and cultural ties between Spain and Turkey.
Optimized Connectivity and Transatlantic Synergies
The flight schedule has been strategically designed: departures from Madrid at 09:30 and returns from Istanbul at 16:00, facilitating seamless connections with Air Europa’s overnight flights to the Americas.
Rewards and Expanding Fleet
To celebrate the launch, Air Europa’s SUMA loyalty program has activated a special promotion:
- Double Miles on flights to Istanbul
- 25% discount when redeeming miles for this destination (valid until June)
This move is part of an expansion plan that includes the addition of three new Dreamliners and the arrival of the first Boeing 737 MAX by the end of May. The investment in a modern and efficient fleet underscores the airline’s commitment to sustainability and global connectivity.
With this new route to Istanbul, Air Europa adds a significant destination to its network, reinforcing its role as a bridge between continents—connecting cultures, economies, and passengers with a solid, efficient, and comfortable offering.
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