Vueling restores the air shuttle due to the rail chaos

BarcelonaThe rail chaos following the Adamuz and Gelida train accidents is driving up air travel between Barcelona and Madrid. With high-speed trains experiencing numerous delays, some reaching six hours, passengers are opting to fly between the two cities, and Vueling has decided to temporarily reinstate the air shuttle. "We have worked to offer an additional alternative to help meet an existing need during the month of February," said Vueling's Director of Network and Strategy, Jordi Pla. The airline will operate the Barcelona-Madrid connection from Monday, February 9th to Sunday, February 22nd. There will be two daily round-trip flights between the two cities, Monday through Friday, with a price cap of €99 for the basic fare. has established Iberia, from the same group. Departures from Barcelona Airport will be at 7:30 a.m. and 7:25 p.m., while from Barajas Airport they will be at 9:25 a.m. and 9:20 p.m.

In addition, there will be two extra daily flights on weekends. One will be on Saturdays, departing at 7:30 a.m. from Barcelona and returning at 9:30 a.m. from Madrid. The other will be on Sundays, departing at 7:25 p.m. from Barcelona and at 9:30 p.m. from Madrid.

Before the Adamuz and Gelida accidents, air travel had lost all prominence on the Barcelona-Madrid route. Rail travel was gaining market share year after year, reaching 81.5% in 2024. High-speed rail routes had swept aside air competition, as demonstrated byVueling will cease operations Last year, the air bridge was discontinued and left in the hands of Iberia and Air Europa. In Iberia's case, this is its most important domestic route, with half a century of experience, offering 14 daily flights, while Air Europa, far behind, schedules two daily flights. Another route that has seen a surge in air travel is the one connecting Madrid and Zaragoza, which had reached a 100% market share.