News

Vueling makes its case

The airline restructures operations to avoid a repeat of last year’s chaos at El Prat airport; Generalitat believes changes are “sufficient”to renew confidence

On June 26 2016, Vueling canceled six flights at El Prat airport and recorded delays in 50 more in the 400 scheduled flights that day in Barcelona. So began a week of disasters for the low-cost airline, which left thousands of passengers on the ground and almost sounded the death knell for the airline group IAG (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Level ). Vueling was also the largest carrier at the airport at that time (more than a 35% share) and, therefore, the chaos directly affected the airport’s credibility and, by extension, the country. A year later, the company is now facing the new summer campaign with renewed airs and its homework done, or at least this is the message Vueling wants to convey.

There have been many changes which started at the top with an almost complete renewal of senior management. But there are also more technical measures aimed at preventing a repeat of the collapse.

The company has lifted its reserve fleet to seven and reorganised the so-called “buffer” system of online booking. This means that aircraft are on the ground longer at midday to make up for any possible problems arising from morning schedules as well extending the ground time in turnarounds. These are changes passengers will not see but which will hopefully be able to deal with unseen difficulties. There is also an increase in ground staff and customer service, with a total of €15 million. Many of the changes are already in place and so far have had a positive response from the Generalitat.

Vueling is confident but admits that the summer season is complicated for all airlines.

Sign in. Sign in if you are already a verified reader. I want to become verified reader. To leave comments on the website you must be a verified reader.
Note: To leave comments on the website you must be a verified reader and accept the conditions of use.