Travel relief: Volotea adds extra 100 flights to Andalucia

Volotea is adding almost 100 extra flights between Madrid and Andalucia as airlines respond to the disruption caused by the deadly train accident in Toledo province.

The Spanish low-cost airline will introduce additional services to Malaga and Seville between November 13 and December 16, giving passengers another way to travel while high-speed rail connections between Madrid and Andalucia remain affected.

The temporary flights are intended to help meet increased demand following the collision near Urda on October 28, which led to the suspension of rail services on the Madrid-Andalucia corridor. Passengers can read our earlier report on Renfe’s alternative transport plan for Madrid and Andalucia.

Extra Madrid flights to Malaga and Seville

Volotea’s extra schedule will initially provide five weekly flights between Madrid and Malaga and four between Madrid and Seville. From December, the frequencies will increase to six weekly flights to Malaga and five to Seville.

The extra services are scheduled to operate as follows:

• Madrid to Malaga: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays initially, increasing to six weekly flights in December.
• Madrid to Seville: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays initially, increasing to five weekly flights in December.

The temporary programme runs from November 13 until December 16, with tickets available through Volotea’s official website and flight booking service.

The airline’s announcement of almost 100 additional flights from Madrid to Andalucia confirms the temporary timetable and the additional December frequencies.

Volotea introduces capped fares

Passengers using the additional services will benefit from capped ticket prices announced by the airline. Basic economy fares will be limited to €75 per journey, while tickets including a cabin bag of up to 10kg will cost no more than €99 one-way.

The price limits are intended to offer passengers more predictable fares at a time when demand for alternative transport between Madrid and Andalucia has increased.

Potential passengers should check the conditions attached to each fare before booking, particularly baggage allowances and any additional charges.

Other airlines increase flights to Andalucia

Volotea is not the only airline responding to the disruption. Iberia has also increased capacity between Madrid, Malaga and Seville, adding extra seats and flights to accommodate passengers affected by the railway suspension.

On October 29, the airline announced 14 additional flights across the two routes over Thursday and Friday, providing thousands of extra seats. It has also capped economy fares between Madrid and Andalucia at €99 each way until November 8.

The airline has increased the size of aircraft operating some services to provide more passenger capacity. Passengers can read Iberia’s announcement about additional flights to Andalucia and its €99 fare cap.

Rail disruption continues to affect Madrid-Andalucia journeys

The additional flights come as passengers continue to face uncertainty over high-speed rail connections between Madrid and southern Spain.

Renfe had planned to introduce an alternative transport service on October 30, but the launch was postponed following a request from train drivers’ union SEMAF. The company said the regulatory requirement for 96 hours’ notice to change service schedules meant the alternative plan could not begin before November 3.

Passengers can follow Renfe’s latest update on the Madrid-Andalucia alternative transport plan for information about the revised arrangements.

The disruption has also left passengers looking for other ways to reach the Spanish capital. Our report explains how Malaga-Madrid trains were suspended following the crash, while alternative coach services between Andalucia and Madrid are providing another option for some travellers.

Anyone planning to travel should check directly with their airline or rail operator before setting off, as schedules and availability may change.

Volotea’s temporary flights offer another option for people who need to travel between the Spanish capital and two of Andalucia’s busiest cities over the coming weeks.