New Codeshare Agreement Covers 13 Domestic Routes in Spain

Air Europa and Spanair have signed a cooperation agreement that includes codesharing on their combined domestic network, enabling both carriers to offer customers improved connections and an expanded network.

The codeshare agreement covers 13 domestic routes, taking advantage of the strong network that both companies operate, providing the Spanish and international travellers more and enhanced travel alternatives.

This codeshare routes will be effective as of March 29, 2009. It will include flights operated between Madrid and A Coruna, Alicante, Almeria, Bilbao, Jerez, Menorca, Malaga, Santiago de Compostela, Valencia and Vigo; and from Barcelona to Jerez, Malaga and Seville in the published schedules and frequencies of each carrier.

Air Europa and Spanair (which is 100% owned by the SAS Group) will build their cooperation, expanding code share routes and destinations. The partner airlines estimate the enhanced network will generate a significant increase in passengers to both airlines by improving the travel options available in their core markets.

This joint commercial cooperation will be a major milestone in the Spanish airline market as it will offer consumers a wide range of services, including:

• More travel options: the combination of Spanair and Air Europa routes and frequencies will provide passengers with a broader offering and a wider range of connecting flights.
   
• More comfort: the passengers and baggage on connecting flights will be checked through to their final destination in both airlines, and business travellers will enjoy the use of the respective VIP lounges.
   
• More premium customer benefits: Premium customers from both airlines frequent flyers will enjoy priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, etc., members of Spanair Plus and Flying Blue will be able to accrue and redeem miles on both networks.
  
  For María José Hidalgo, Air Europa's CEO "this alliance responds to our traditional policy of making travel easier for our passengers. For us, it is important that we make travel from any place in Spain to La Havana, Buenos Aires or Santo Domingo as accessible as possible."
  
  For Marcus Hedblom, Spanair's CEO, "this agreement is an important development for the Spanish market. Spanair and Air Europa will provide a wider range of alternatives for the travelling public in both the business as well as leisure segments."