Vueling Airlines

Infobox_Airline
airline=Vueling Airlines
logo=Vueling_Airlines.jpg
logo_size=150
fleet_size=24
destinations=25
IATA=VY
ICAO=VLG
callsign=VUELING
parent=
founded=2004
headquarters= Barcelona, Spain
key_people= Sue Smith (Founder)
hubs=Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Seville
frequent_flyer= Punto
lounge=
alliance=
website= http://www.vueling.com

Vueling Airlines (BMAD|ES0184591032|VLG) is a low-fare airline based in Barcelona, Spain. It serves destinations in Europe and the western Mediterranean. Its main base is Barcelona Airport, with additional hubs at Valencia Airport, Madrid Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport.

History

Vueling was established in 2004 and commenced operations on 1 July 2004. The fleet consisted of two aircraft, serving the Barcelona-Ibiza route. The company first recorded a profit in December 2005, only 18 months after the start of operations.

Major shareholders of Vueling Airlines are Apax Partners (40%), Inversiones Hemisferio (Grupo Planeta) (30%), Equipo gestor (23%) and V.A. Investor (JetBlue Airways) (7%). During its nascent stages, the company's General Manager was Lázaro Ros, while Carlos Muñoz wasCEO. In November 2007, Vueling appointed managing director of Spanair Lars Nygaard as CEO to replace Carlos Muñoz, who remained as a member of the Board of Directors.

Although in 2006 Vueling was chosen as the third-best European low-fares airline, behind Air Berlin and easyJet, [ [http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards-2006/Lowcost.htm Best Low-Cost Airlines 2006] ] it did not maintain this position in 2007. [ [http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards_2007/Lowcost.htm Jetstar Airways wins Best Low-Cost Airline Award for 2007 ] ]

Vueling started restructuring in 2007-2008 to enhance profitability as the airline started to lose money and its owners were afraid that otherwise it might not survive in the fierce competition among European low-cost operators.Fact|date=March 2008

In June 2008, Vueling and Clickair announced their intention to merge. [ [http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1215488627.html Vueling To Merge With Clickair] ]

Destinations

Fleet

The Vueling Airlines fleet consists of the following (as of February 2008):

* 24 Airbus A320-200 (one each leased to Air Arabia and Niki [ [http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Vueling%20Airlines.htm Vueling Airlines Fleet Listing] ] )

Restructuring plan

In early 2008 Vueling cancelled an order for 9 Airbus A320-200 aircraft, which were scheduled for delivery in 2008. It has also deferred delivery of 6 more aircraft until 2009 as part of its restructuring plan.Fact|date=March 2008

As of 3 June 2008, the average age of the Vueling Airlines fleet is 2.6 years. [ [http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/Vueling%20Airlines.htm] ]

External links

* [http://www.vueling.com/ Vueling Airlines website]
* [http://www.vueling.ws/ Vueling Airlines Partner website NL, FR, IT, PT]
* [http://www.flylowcostairlines.org/low-cost-airlines/airline-vueling.html Vueling flights overview]

References