Since its birth in 2004, Vueling has become the main airline of Barcelona airport, also now that it continues to break passenger records. With its expansion on the horizon, the airline company aims to reach 60 million travelers by 2035, half of whom will be gained at El Prat. An expansion plan that will entail an investment of 5,000 million euros, which will be mainly allocated to changing the fleet, replacing the European manufacturer Airbus with the American Boeing. In this interview, its president, Carolina Martinoli (Buenos Aires, 1969), who landed here in 2024 after working for other companies in the IAG group, such as Iberia and British Airways, breaks down Vueling's future.

For years, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) has tirelessly reiterated that it's about more than just mobile phones. This is evidenced by the fact that 60% of attendees come from other industries and that phones have been losing ground at the exhibitors visiting the Gran Vía Fairgrounds these days, in favor of the growing prominence of futuristic robots and even animated plush toys. To this end, the technology congress has decided to take things a step further this year, focusing on an industry where connectivity is key: aviation.

The 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.

Vueling has become the leading airline at Barcelona's expanding airport, and it aims to be even more so. The company has set a goal of transporting 60 million passengers by 2035. To achieve this, it plans to invest €5 billion, half of which will remain at El Prat Airport, where its main base is located. The budget will be primarily used to upgrade its fleet, switching to aircraft from the American manufacturer Boeing. "It's an ambitious and achievable project," stated Vueling's president and CEO, Carolina Martinoli. The airline, founded in Barcelona in 2004, wants to reach this goal without shifting its focus, which remains primarily on the Catalan capital. However, it is also working to strengthen domestic flights within Spain, where it has 11 bases, and its connectivity with Europe. Currently, it carries approximately 40 million passengers and employs 5,000 people. At El Prat Airport, Vueling is the airline with the largest market share, at 40%, followed at a considerable distance by Ryanair and, even further behind, by EasyJet and Wizz Air, all low-cost carriers. Of the more than 57 million passengers the airport recorded in 2025, 23 million travelers chose Vueling. The company, which merged with Clickair in 2009 and joined the IAG group in 2013, has 60 aircraft based in the Catalan capital flying to more than 100 destinations in 30 countries.

Air connectivity is key to economic development, the mobility of people, and cohesion between regions. Within this framework, Barcelona has become a central hub, and Vueling has established itself as a key player in facilitating it. This structural role is now taking off. In fact, Vueling has scheduled its most ambitious winter season ever. From Barcelona, ​​the airline offers more than 10 million seats and has strengthened connections both within Spain and those linking the city with the Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as with Europe.

In its battle with Aena, Ryanair will also reduce its service to Barcelona during the winter season, breaking with the growth forecasts of other airlines. The cuts at El Prat are a consequence of the elimination of flights to regional Spanish airports and the Canary Islands, which the Irish airline announced after learning of the situation. The airport manager's intention to raise fees by 2026.

It's happening month after month. Barcelona Airport continues to grow and set new records. It does so after exceeding its theoretical capacity limit last year, when it recorded its first record. more than 55 million passengers, one of the main arguments for launching the El Prat expansion project, despite the social rejection that the extension of the third runway has aroused due to the environmental impacts. However, no airline has complained so far about having problems operating normally or because they are accumulating excessive delays, nor have passengers noticed it, with hot spots such as security checkpoints functioning better than previous years.

Visiting Córdoba is more accessible than ever since September 18th, thanks to the new Vueling route operating between Barcelona and the Andalusian city with a direct connection and two weekly flights to enjoy its unique corners. Córdoba has managed to preserve its historical essence while continuing to thrive, becoming a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination with many opportunities for all types of travelers. With a mild climate in winter and warm in summer, the city encompasses historical heritage, traditions, culture, and gastronomy for both weekend getaways and longer trips at any time of year.

Barcelona Airport continues to expand and has been surpassing its goals for some time now. After achieving its first the more than 55 million passengers last year, the infrastructure continues to grow this year and is aiming for a new record, challenging its theoretical limits of maximum capacity.

The tourism sector broke records in 2024 and is on track to repeat them this year, although the figures are growing. with less force in these first six monthsWith El Prat airport exceeding its theoretical capacity limit, with more than 55 million passengers, one of its routes has become the busiest in all of Europe. The short-haul flight between Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca received the highest number of travelers in 2024, according to data collected from 240 airlines by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Yesterday, Vueling Airlines expelled a group of fifty French teenagers from a flight to Paris at Valencia Airport due to the group's poor behavior, which, according to the IAG subsidiary, jeopardized the integrity of the flight and the safety of passengers. The Catalan airline explains that this group adopted a "highly conflictive" attitude, tampering with emergency equipment and even actively interrupting the mandatory safety demonstration.

With Vueling's summer route between Barcelona and La Palma, the airline facilitates access to one of the most unique islands in the Canary Islands: La Palma. Known as the Beautiful Island, La Palma is a destination that has managed to protect its natural and cultural identity, escaping the mass tourism that has marked other islands. The inhabitants of one of the Canary Islands have managed to keep the culture of their territory alive, from traditional cuisine to popular festivals and the typical architecture of historic centers. Its commitment to sustainable development and authenticity has made it a benchmark for an increasingly conscious type of traveler.

The High Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) ruled in favor of Vueling and provisionally suspended the fine imposed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for charging for hand luggage. After doing the same with Ryanair and Norwegian airlinesThe judges have reaffirmed their position with the Catalan airline, which will be able to maintain its current baggage policy until a final ruling is issued.charge for hand luggage.

When summer arrives, the excitement of packing your suitcase and getting ready to unwind and experience adventure returns. Whether you're looking for picture-perfect beaches or prefer to lose yourself in the mountains and cities, you still have time to plan your getaway. Vueling connects Barcelona with dozens of destinations via direct flights, bringing five ideas for all tastes: two iconic islands—Tenerife and Mallorca—and three Northern European cities that offer a refreshing and culturally vibrant retreat—Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart. A direct, fast, and flexible connection means you can make the most of your getaway and discover everything these destinations have to offer.

Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a city that captivates travelers with its historical heritage, spectacular landscapes, and unparalleled outdoor activities. This walled city in Croatia, with over 2,000 years of history, is a must-see for those seeking getaways filled with nature, gastronomy, and history, along with a wide range of activities. With direct flights from Barcelona operated by Vueling during the 2025 summer season, getting to Dubrovnik is easier than ever, with up to nine weekly flights from Barcelona. A direct, fast, and flexible connection so you can make the most of your getaway and discover everything this Croatian city has to offer.

Organ transport is a critical process in the donation and transplant system, where speed and precision can make the difference between life and death. In this context, Vueling, an airline part of the IAG group, has established itself as a key player in transplant logistics in Spain. Since 2013, the company has carried out more than 1,000 organ transfers in collaboration with the National Transplant Organization (ONT), making it the airline that transports the most organs to the country.

The room is, above all, full of screens. Some have maps of Europe marked with different coloured areas or crossed by infinite aircraft routes. Others show weather forecasts that change every second. There are also those that show statistics, mainly on the punctuality of the nearly 700 flights that the 60 people who will be in this room will have managed by the end of the day. The Vueling operations control centre is the heart of the airline's operations, from which all routes are monitored in real time. However, this space is a secret even for the rest of the company's staff, as access is restricted. Located in the new headquarters in Viladecans, it is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The years of crisis caused by the pandemic are behind us. Demand for airlines is once again soaring, as confirmed by the results published this Friday by the main company in this industry in the State, the holding company IAG. The group – owner of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Level – achieved profits of 2,732 million euros in 2024, 2.9% more, coinciding with last year's record tourist numbers. Revenues grew by 9.98% to €32.1 billion. Vueling, the largest company at El Prat Airport, achieved the best figures in its history: €3.261 billion in revenue and €400 million in operating profit.

Vueling will cancel the three daily frequencies that it still operated from the air bridge, the historic route that links Barcelona and Madrid, starting on March 29. As has been advanced The Vanguard and the ARA has been able to confirm, the airline has reordered its priorities for the summer and will do without this destination to focus on others. For some time now, the train connection, using high speed, has defeated the plane as the preferred option to travel between the Catalan and Spanish capital. Thus, the last flight of the low cost The new service to connect Barcelona and Madrid will leave El Prat airport at the end of next month. Until now, Vueling operated three daily flights and 21 weekly flights on that route.

In the board game Taboo, participants have to try to explain a forbidden word without ever mentioning it. In this linguistic labyrinth, no obvious synonyms are allowed either, and the timer is ticking away as the opponent struggles to avoid defeat. In the aviation industry, the word marked in red is kerosene. In the middle of the COP26 summit on climate change, the sector is one of the major targets due to the pollution emitted by the same private jets with which world leaders arrived in Glasgow. And when you can't talk about oil, oxymorons appear.