MAY 2016 | 49 BY KEELAN MORRIS CUSTOMER PROF I L E Growing with the Dream Air Europa is the first airline to operate the 787 in Spain hen Air Europa began scheduled operations in 1993, it started in direct competition with Iberia on the Madrid-Barcelona route, taking on the challenge to break the monopoly of Spain’s national airline. Today, Air Europa serves more than 40 global destinations through a modern mixed fleet of nearly 50 airplanes— including its first 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered in March. With 21 additional Dreamliners on order, the airline says the twin-aisle jet is key to its ambition to challenge Iberia’s market share. The Dreamliner order, the only to date that has been placed by a Spanish carrier, has repositioned the airline, based in Palma, Mallorca, for the long term as it transitions to an all-Boeing widebody fleet in the coming years, according to Juan Jose Hidalgo, owner and president of Air Europa. “We started out with the aim to challenge the competition on a single route—as we have grown, so has our ambition,” he said. “The delivery of our first 787 is the result of that ambition, and it is the airplane that we believe will grow this airline and drive our expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean.” Air Europa’s story is intertwined with that of its charismatic owner, who purchased Air Europa in 1991. Hidalgo started his leisure travel business in 1960 using buses to take Spanish tourists to holiday destinations in Europe. Today, Hidalgo presides over one of Spain’s largest travel companies, which includes hotels and travel agencies as well as Air Europa. “I started out with a fleet of buses,” Hidalgo said. “Over the years I acquired a fleet of airplanes, and today I have the most modern jet in the industry—the 787. We are deeply proud that we are the only carrier flying the Spanish flag on the 787.” Air Europa’s new Dreamliner is already in service to Miami, debuting the airline’s redesigned livery and new business-class cabin. New routes to Latin America are planned this year as the airline takes delivery of three more 787s. Before adding the Dreamliner to its fleet, Air Europa had taken delivery of 27 Boeing airplanes—all 737s. “The 737 has been an important aircraft in helping us challenge the domestic market,” Hidalgo said. “The 787 will position us to do that in the international market now. Air Europa and Boeing have a strong relationship, going back to our first order in 1999, and Boeing will be our supplier for many more years to come.” • KEELAN.J.MORRIS@BOEING.COM Photo: Air Europa’s first 787-8 awaits delivery at the Boeing South Carolina factory. CAPS W
Frontiers May 2016 Issue
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