Lorraine Williamson
As Spain’s summer holiday season hits its peak, regional airline Air Nostrum is ramping up operations with an ambitious expansion of its domestic and international network.
From 18 July to 31 August, the Iberia franchise will launch new routes and increase frequency on existing ones, targeting high-demand destinations across the Balearic Islands, Melilla, mainland Spain, and select international hubs in France and Morocco.
The seasonal move reflects both a surge in demand for direct regional connections and a growing appetite for flexible travel options beyond the main tourist corridors.
Balearic boom with over 100,000 extra seats this summer
The Balearic Islands will see a substantial uplift in connections, with Mallorca, Ibiza, and Mahón now boasting 20 routes to the mainland. Standout increases include a 67% rise in flights between Mallorca and Valencia and a 59% boost to Valladolid.
New routes will link Mallorca with Castellón and La Rioja, while Ibiza gains additional services to Valencia and Alicante. A direct flight from Ibiza to Mahón will now operate six days a week. In total, the airline is offering more than 100,000 extra seats to and from the Balearics over the six weeks.
Record-breaking summer for Melilla
The Spanish enclave of Melilla is enjoying its busiest summer yet, with 11 routes now available, the highest in its history. New connections to Oviedo and Tenerife North join existing services, while capacity on routes to Málaga and Mallorca has been increased by 11% and 17%, respectively. Overall, seat supply in Melilla is growing by 5%.
Mainland Spain gets broader coverage
Air Nostrum is also reinforcing its mainland network, increasing total capacity by 9%. Notable highlights include:
-
A 33% increase on the Málaga–León route.
-
Continuation of the Valencia–Vigo route.
-
Expanded services between Barcelona and Badajoz, and Málaga and Valencia.
-
Flights from Santander to Granada, Vigo, and Jerez now feature in the schedule.
This broader coverage aims to improve regional connectivity across Spain, particularly between smaller provincial cities.
France and Morocco: International expansion heats up
Outside Spain, Air Nostrum is stepping up its international offering, particularly to North Africa and the French Riviera.
Two new routes from Málaga to Tangier and Casablanca mark a significant push into Morocco, operated in collaboration with Royal Air Maroc. The Tangier service will run five times weekly, offering 8,200 seats, while Casablanca will see three weekly flights, adding 1,900 seats.
In France, the airline is reinforcing links to Nice from Málaga, Mallorca, and Ibiza, with an overall 21% increase in capacity. The Ibiza–Nice route alone will carry 13,500 passengers, the most of any French destination this summer.
Regional demand driving strategic shift
This summer’s timetable is part of a broader trend among Spanish carriers to diversify away from major hubs and respond to demand from regional airports and secondary destinations. By boosting links between smaller cities and offering more point-to-point options, Air Nostrum supports both tourism decentralisation and local economic development.
It’s a strategy that not only caters to holidaymakers looking for direct access to coastal resorts and islands but also provides essential year-round connections for business and local travellers alike.
Summer travel reimagined
With more routes, extra capacity, and improved regional access, Air Nostrum’s summer schedule positions it as a key player in Spain’s post-pandemic travel recovery. The shift reflects a wider trend towards regional air travel and short-haul flexibility, as travellers seek convenient alternatives to overburdened hubs.
As climate, crowding, and connectivity shape the future of travel, airlines like Air Nostrum appear to be betting on more localised, sustainable mobility—one seat, and one city, at a time.
Source: Hosteltur