Vueling is likely to open more bases around Europe in the next few months, according to the boss of parent company IAG.
The Barcelona-based carrier, which was purchased by IAG earlier this year, last week announced it would be opening a new base in Brussels from May 2014.
IAG chief executive Willie Walsh hinted that Vueling was likely to take advantage of “opportunities in other parts of Europe”.
“Do not be surprised if you see more Vueling bases announced in the months ahead,” added Walsh during a conference call with analysts.
“Vueling has great flexibility and speed of reaction to market opportunities. Vueling also has a product that’s superior against its principal low-cost competitors.”
But Walsh suggested that Vueling was not looking at Madrid as a potential new airport base.
“I don’t think Vueling needs to create a hub at Madrid – there are plenty of other opportunities that are more attractive than Madrid,” he said. “We already have a presence at Madrid in any case.”
Vueling is planning to expand at Seville from April 2014 with new routes to Palma, Asturias, Nantes and Lyon.
Meanwhile rapidly expanding carrier Norwegian, which is planning to fly from Gatwick to the US from next summer, is also to establish a base at Madrid from June 2014.
The airline will operate six routes from Madrid including daily flights to Gatwick, as well as services to Oslo, Warsaw, Hamburg, Helsinki and Stockholm.
vueling.com