Spanish Flights - traveling by air in Spain

Aviaco has been the Spanish domestic airline for a long time. It uses DC-9 and F-27 aeroplanes providing links between the smaller cities such as Vigo, Zaragoza, La Coruna and the main industrial centres. Some complain that there are too many airports in Spain so do not be surprised to find one not too far away from what you thought was quite an out of the way place.

The choice of airline is getting wider every day, especially following EU membership. As so many small airports and regional services are becoming available it is a good idea to make your travel agent check properly. His list may not be up to date. Here are some of the most recently announced airlines.

• Air Europa is the great newcomer with domestic flights, and regular and charter flights for international travel. Lots of huge special offers.
• LAE (Lineas Aereas Extremenas). F-27s are used to link Madrid and Badajoz twice daily. There are plans to link in Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and other cities.
• Binter Canarias is a subsidiary of IBERIA and offers rapid connection to the Canary Islands .
• Binter Mediterranea SA will link the Spanish mainland to the Balearic Islands and in the future, North Africa, Southern France and Italy .
• Norjet flies form the airports of Vitoria and Bilbao to Europe and the rest of Spain. It is the first Basque airline.
• LAC (Lineas Aereas Canarias) uses MD-83s to ferry passengers from and around the Canary Islands to Northern Europe.
• Air Sur began life in 1990 and was the first private line to be allowed to operate scheduled passenger services between Madrid and Valladoloid. The service has since been extended to include Barcelona, Malaga and Seville.

It is likely that this list will grow since there are many other projects in hand and tourism is flourishing. While some airlines have folded, others succeed. Air Europa is an outstanding success story in Spain and elsewhere. Easy Jet is also going well with very low prices.