Vueling will resume flights between Barcelona and Madrid starting October 5, the airline announced this Thursday. The route will be maintained at least until the end of March 2027. This is justified by the increase in demand, especially among customers traveling for professional reasons. Company sources explain that the market and customer response will be analyzed to consider whether the route will be extended beyond March.
Read more Interior installs a floating barrier in the sea at the south dock of Melilla as in Ceuta
The route had been canceled in 2025 due to competition from the train and was temporarily recovered this year after the chaos experienced on the AVE due to the Adamuz accident. Although the high-speed rail service has recovered, it is hampered by incidents, speed limitations, and traveler doubts, which make the plane more attractive and gain customers, justifying the recovery of the air route again. In fact, so far this year AVE travelers have dropped sharply while those opting for air travel have increased, according to official data.
For most of October, the route will have ten weekly frequencies, with two daily flights from Monday to Thursday, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, as well as one flight on Fridays and another on Sundays, both in the afternoon. Starting October 31, Saturday will be added, up to eleven weekly frequencies, it is detailed. Tickets have already been put on sale until March 29, guaranteeing an operation of at least six months.
Vueling had eliminated the route in March last year due to the competition posed by high speed on the Barcelona-Madrid corridor, which had an overwhelming share. It was recovered this February due to the chaos on the AVE after the Adamuz accident and remained active until March 28. “The decision to recover this connection responds to the need to continue strengthening mobility alternatives between both cities with an increase in demand, especially among customers traveling for professional reasons,” the statement says.
Read more Ceuta confronts the Government and the PP despite their agreement on the return of minors
High speed is declining, while air transport grows this year
Official statistics reflect a change in trend. If for years the train and high speed were gaining ground relentlessly, now the situation has reversed. The passenger transport data for June from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show that at the national level high speed contracts by 10%, a decline repeated month after month following the Adamuz accident in January, with an accumulated reduction of 16% in the year. On the side of peninsular air transport, which includes the Barcelona-Madrid route, travelers grow by 3% and have been rising for four months. Again, the flow has changed after the Adamuz accident, as it was falling before.
Looking specifically at the Barcelona-Madrid route, high speed lost 16% of travelers in the first quarter, down to 1.77 million passengers, according to the most recent data from the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC). On the other hand, Aena figures point to a growth of more than 4% in travelers between Barcelona and Madrid, with more than 1.1 million travelers until July.
Read more Last night we were able to touch God
