INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Meanwhile, Ryanair stays firmly in first, with nearly 30 million passengers.Between January and June, Vueling flew 15.82 million passengers
within Spain, up 2% from the same period last year
Iberia moved 15.77 million, down 1%
The difference may seem small, but it signals a deeper shift in how people travel across Spain.Vueling, a low-cost airline based in
Barcelona and part of the IAG group (which also owns Iberia), benefited from recent labor deals that helped it cut costs and secure more
aircraft.This allowed it to add about 1 million new seats for summer routes, growing capacity by 9% at its main base in Barcelona
It focused on boosting short and medium-haul European routes, where demand is strongest and prices stay competitive.How Vueling Overtook
(Photo Internet reproduction)Iberia, on the other hand, hit trouble
Supply issues with engines grounded nearly half the Airbus A321neo planes used by its low-cost arm, Iberia Express
Iberia Express had to reduce planned flights by 8%, affecting services across Spain and contributing to a group-wide passenger loss of about
Air Nostrum, another Iberia affiliate, grew by 8%, but the overall numbers still dipped.While Vueling and Iberia fight for second place,
Ryanair kept growing, despite cutting flights at smaller airports due to disputes over higher airport fees.It pulled operations from cities
like Jerez and Valladolid, where traffic dropped by double digits
high with over 180 million passengers in the first half of 2025, up 4.7% year-on-year
Smaller ones are losing service.This shift shows where the market is heading: more low-cost, short-haul flyers, fewer regional routes, and
heavier reliance on major airport hubs.For travelers, it means cheaper tickets in some places, and fewer choices in others
