Air Europa
Spain · EUROPA · Active
Airline Identity
History
Air Europa was founded in 1986 as Air España, initially operating within the British ILG-Air Europe Group with Spanish banks holding a majority stake, before rebranding as Air Europa and expanding from Mediterranean charter flying into scheduled international service. The airline has long been owned by Globalia Corporación Empresarial, the Spanish tourism conglomerate controlled by the Hidalgo family, and it joined the SkyTeam alliance in September 2007. Air Europa became the subject of a high-profile takeover saga when International Airlines Group (IAG) agreed in 2019 to acquire it for roughly €1 billion; after years of EU antitrust scrutiny, the deal was formally abandoned in August 2024. Turkish Airlines subsequently emerged as an interested bidder for a stake in the carrier, a process still unresolved as of 2026, while Air Europa continues expanding its long-haul network from Spain to the Americas.
Current Operations
Air Europa operates an all-Boeing fleet built around 737s for short/medium-haul flying and 787 Dreamliners for long-haul routes, with additional 787-9s, 737 MAX aircraft and newly announced Airbus A350-900s on order. Its main hub is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, with focus operations at Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife North, serving more than 44 destinations across Spain, Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and North Africa. As a SkyTeam member it maintains extensive codeshare partnerships with more than 30 airlines. Route growth continues, including a new Madrid–San Salvador service launching in December 2026, even as ownership talks involving Turkish Airlines remain ongoing.
Last verified 2026-08-22· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.