Vueling announces new route to Barcelona
Published: 28 October 2011
Direct flights to Barcelona from Cardiff commence from March 2012
Vueling, Spain’s leading low fare airline, today announced it is expanding its footprint in the UK beyond London Heathrow, with the launch of a regular scheduled flight from Cardiff Airport to Barcelona, on March 27th, 2012. The route, initially operating three days a week by Airbus A320 aircraft and will operate Cardiff to Barcelona on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This is the first direct service from the UK to Barcelona, Vueling’s home base.
Fares will start from approximately £26 (30€) and tickets are now available via http://www.vueling.com/en/, travel agents, Vueling’s iPhone application, mobile portal m.vueling.com, and call centre UK number 0906 754 7541. Vueling flights offer a wealth of onward connections available via Vueling’s successful Barcelona Hub operations, currently accessing over 40 destinations in Europe and North-Africa, with full baggage through check-in from Cardiff Airport to the final destination.
“We are delighted to be increasing our network with these flights from the principal destination Cardiff. They have been on the agenda for some time and we are delighted to add them to Vueling’s network,” said Vueling CEO Alex Cruz. “Vueling is very pleased to be able to fulfil the local catchment area’s requirement for direct flights to Barcelona for leisure and business travellers. Cardiff offers convenient transits and an efficient service so we anticipate the route will be popular for leisure travellers looking for convenient city breaks. There’s also a high student population within easy reach, so overall we are expecting high load factors as passengers will maximise the options provided by our connections service too to a variety of our other destinations including Malaga, Palma, Ibiza, Rome, Naples, etc. There is the strong possibility that more UK routes will be announced soon.”
The new route will appeal largely to travellers keen to explore the cultural and gastronomic delights of Barcelona and those connecting to Barcelona’s cruise port terminal for the start of their Mediterranean cruises. The capital of Catalunya is one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations with cultural spectacles varying from Gaudi’s architecture including the as yet unfinished legendary Sagrada Familia, to Montjuic which hosts the world’s leading Miró exhibition. Travellers can sample the culinary delights at the Boqueria market and Ferran Adrià inspired restaurants. For night owls, el Born neighbourhood offers everything from cool restaurants, to chic nightclubs, whilst the Ramblas provides authentic bar experiences. Barcelona’s modern convention centre has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s leading convention venues and is popular with many conference organisers.
Vueling provides a service that mirrors traditional carrier practices including seat selection, options to book through travel agencies, loyalty point’s schemes, an extensive network and premium services. It’s even possible to buy gift vouchers for Vueling flights as special Christmas or birthday gifts.
Business Services created for the executive traveller.
This new UK route will be welcomed by business travellers for whom Vueling has created unique features. Its’ recently launched Duo Seat guarantees a front row double seat and hand luggage space, preferred boarding and online check in at selected airports, free drink and snack. In addition, Vueling’s Go product offers greater flexibility to passengers enabling them to change flights for free up to two hours before departure, provides gratis seat selection and the opportunity to board the flight when desired.
Patrick Duffy, Cardiff Airport’s Managing Director commented: “It is extremely pleasing to welcome a new airline and a new route to Cardiff Airport. The Vueling service can be of great benefit to the region as the airline will not only offer Welsh passengers the chance to visit one of Europe’s most famous cities but can also bring inbound passengers into Wales which will consequently benefit the Welsh economy. In a challenging economic climate it is very encouraging to see an airline consider trading in new markets.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Wales’ Business Minister Edwina Hart who described it as good news for Cardiff Airport. Mrs Hart said: "This new route will open up new opportunities to develop and strengthen business and tourism links between Wales and Spain and we are hopeful other new routes will follow."