The creation of four alliances between Vueling and carriers Air China, Etihad Airways, Hainan Airlines and Singapore Airlines should strengthen the Spanish carrier's reputation among passengers in the Middle East, China and South-East Asia. In Europe, these agreements will primarily improve the attractiveness of Barcelona and Rome Fiumicino hubsVueling's two main hubs, which will be able to profile themselves even more as intercontinental hubs.
In Barcelona, Vueling is the leading transport operator in the Catalan capital, offering direct flights to 120 destinations. Barcelona also welcomes flights from Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Air China. Rome Fiumicino, Vueling's second hub, is served by all four airlines in the new alliance.
The partnership will enable 12 French ports of call Vueling to reach the Asian continent more easily and vice versa via these two cities. In France, however, these new alliances will have a relatively limited impact on the attractiveness of Paris's airport hubs. CDG will probably be the Paris airport to benefit most from Vueling's new alliances. The hub hosts four daily Vueling flights to Barcelona and three daily flights to Rome Fiumicino. CDG is also the Paris airport of Etihad, Air China, Hainan Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
Paradoxically, it is Paris Orly which is Vueling's largest base in France. The Paris airport is even the third largest in the Spanish airline's network. In 2018, Vueling offered almost 3.6 million seats a year (departures and arrivals). In terms of the number of seats offered, Vueling is the fourth largest airline operator, offering around twenty destinations with direct flights, and works in synergy with IAG's other hybrid subsidiary, Levelwhich is mainly present on the transatlantic axis.
Vueling will also be strengthening its position at Orly from the start of the winter season with the resumption of the airline's routes. Aigle Azur. The latter, which is experiencing financial difficulties, has just handed over its slots and route operations in Portugal to Vueling. Vueling should therefore take over the carrier's routes to Faro, Funchal, Lisbon and Porto.
