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Volotea is a Spanish low-cost airline that has carved a unique niche in Europe’s aviation market by connecting small and medium-sized cities with direct, affordable flights. Founded in 2011 by Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, who also co-founded Vueling Airlines, Volotea commenced operations on April 5, 2012, with its first flight from Venice Marco Polo Airport. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, at Travessera de Gràcia 56, the airline operates 18 bases across Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, with major hubs in Nantes (NTE), Bordeaux (BOD), Venice (VCE), and Verona (VRN). Serving over 100 destinations in 16 countries, Volotea focuses on underserved routes, stimulating local tourism and economies. With a fleet of 44 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, averaging 10 years in age, the airline carried 10.2 million passengers in 2024, achieving €614 million in revenue. Recognized as Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline by Skytrax in 2023 and 2024, Volotea emphasizes cost-efficiency, passenger comfort, and sustainability, with a goal to offset 25% of its CO2 emissions by 2025.
Volotea was established with €50 million in funding from three private-equity funds: CCMP Capital (U.S., 49%), Axis Participaciones Empresariales, and Corpfin Capital (Europe, 25%), alongside Muñoz, Ros, and relatives (26%). Initially selecting Boeing 717s for their efficiency on short-haul routes, Volotea retired its last 717 in January 2021, transitioning to an all-Airbus A319/A320 fleet.
Key milestones include launching 100 routes by 2016 and opening bases in Athens (2018) and Hamburg (2021). In 2021, Volotea won a seven-month public service obligation (PSO) contract for Sardinia, operating flights from Cagliari, Olbia, and Alghero to Rome and Milan. In 2022, it agreed with ITA Airways to share PSO routes without financial compensation, focusing on Cagliari–Rome. A 2023 codeshare with Eurowings expanded its network to 150 routes. By 2024, Volotea celebrated carrying 70 million passengers since inception, adding routes like Bordeaux–Dubrovnik and Bilbao–Porto.
Volotea’s fleet comprises 44 Airbus aircraft: 20 A319s (156 seats) and 24 A320s (180 seats), powered by CFM56-5B engines with a 6,900 km range. The airline’s medium-capacity planes align with its mission to serve smaller airports, ensuring operational agility. In 2024, Volotea added four A320s, planning to reach 50 aircraft by 2026. Maintenance is managed in-house, with bases in Verona, Nantes, and Toulouse, adhering to IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) standards.