MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31156 posts, RR: 76 Posted (6 years 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2037 times:
Interesting article from Spain's El Pais. It is an interview with Spanair's president, Gonzalo Pascual, who talks about Spanair's future plans and the desire to grow Barcelona as a long-haul hub to Latin America (in addition to flights to Miami and New York City) with a partner airline, such as Air Plus Comet.
Summa767 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2388 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1895 times:
That's a glimpse into the future: Spainair doing domestic and European flights to connect with Air Comet and AR for the long haul.
I guess this future may not be so far away as those 12 A330s (6 for Air Comet and 6 for AR) start arriving.
Aerolineas is increasing its wekly frequencies to EZE from 2 to 7 later this year.
Bogota was specifically mentioned, as were UIO and SCL, and the road is clear given the revised bilateral. Mexico, on the other hand sounds more complicated as only IB can fly to MEX. Presumibly TLC is a different matter.
NY, MIA, and the reopening of far east destionations is also in the cards..
EddieDude From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 7254 posts, RR: 45 Reply 2, posted (6 years 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1819 times:
Hello Mark and Juan, interesting article indeed. I just wonder if Spanair, who is a full Star Alliance member, is smart in getting so close to two airlines that may not be up to the standards of an alliance (okay, so there is an equity connection amongst them, but they have different business models and different market perceptions). Air Comet is, and correct me if I am mistaken, a discount leisure airline, whereas AR is in theory a full-frills carrier but with a lot of negative reputation (and no codesharing/mileage agreements with other full service airlines). JK is on the other hand a viable option for "legacy airline" flyers who need to fly within Spain and between Spain and other European destinations (business and leisure). I recall that a good friend of mine who lives in Madrid says he prefers to fly JK (instead of IB) from MAD to BCN; moreover, he is a happy member of JK's f.f. program.
Anyway, about BCN becoming an intercontinental hub, that is great! I don't know whether TLC is an option for a JK/Air Comet codeshared flight because I am not familiar with the Mexico-Spain bilateral, but in principle I would think that BCN-TLC could be an option... after all, NM used to fly MAD-TLC nonstop. What I don't know is which aircraft would be used, as TLC is higher altitude than MEX. Does Air Comet have 4-engined planes in its fleet?
By the way, for the time being, if IB needs to divert due to weather or something, IB diverts to ACA. However, I recall IB has been trying to get the Mexican government to authorize TLC as its alternate airport. Any news on that front?
R2rho From Germany, joined Feb 2007, 2279 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (6 years 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1724 times:
Interesting article indeed!
Quoting EddieDude (Reply 2): I just wonder if Spanair, who is a full Star Alliance member, is smart in getting so close to two airlines that may not be up to the standards of an alliance
If I am not mistaken, the bilaterals between Spain and the Latin American countries apply to airlines that are mayority Spanish-owned. JK is owned 95% by SAS, which is why they can't open those routes themselves. IB and Air Europa are their eternal rivals and belong to different alliances. Looking around on the Spanish market, all that is left are Air Comet and AR. So they didn't really have a choice.
Trinxat From Spain, joined Nov 2006, 174 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
Quoting R2rho (Reply 3): If I am not mistaken, the bilaterals between Spain and the Latin American countries apply to airlines that are mayority Spanish-owned.
Is that so? Well, then if BA and TPG end up buying IB this means those billaterals will be revoked for them as well?
Summa767 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2388 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (6 years 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 1537 times:
Quoting R2rho (Reply 3): f I am not mistaken, the bilaterals between Spain and the Latin American countries apply to airlines that are mayority Spanish-owned.
Not sure about all bilaterals, but some apply to airlines *nominated* by each country. So it is up to the national authority to nominate whatever airlines it sees fit.
In the case of a BA led takeover of IB, the British Airline said that it would do so with spanish partners, so it would not affect its spanish ownership status.
R2rho From Germany, joined Feb 2007, 2279 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 weeks ago) and read 1500 times:
Quoting Trinxat (Reply 4): Is that so? Well, then if BA and TPG end up buying IB this means those billaterals will be revoked for them as well?
Well, in fact, the TPG led bid took special care to include Spanish investors (Vista Capital, Ibersuizas and Quercus) who would together hold 51% of the company. TPG would own 39% and BA would stay with its 10%. TPG would gladly take over a bigger portion company so having a majority of Spanish capital in the company can only be to not have its Latin America routes threatened.
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From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31156 posts, 
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From Spain, joined Nov 2006, 174 posts, 
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