Air Berlin's woes could provide Air Europa with opportunities. | Archive

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Air Europa is eyeing up opportunities created by Air Berlin's decision to withdraw from all but two of its routes to and from Palma. The airline's president, Juan José Hidalgo, says that an in-depth analysis will be made, as he sees the Air Berlin move as offering Air Europa a chance to grow its business in Europe. At present, it flies to only two German cities - Frankfurt and Munich (both from Madrid) - but the number could be expanded in the medium term.

It isn't just the Llucmajor-headquartered Air Europa that sees possibilities. New players in Germany are emerging: one of them, Schauninsland Reisen, will be operating flights in 2017.

The regional goverment's director-general of ports and airports, Xavier Ramis, says that the government is following what is happening with Air Berlin. "It isn't great news, but the current economic situation will enable other operators to enter the market. The aim should be that the reduction in the number of Air Berlin flights affects workers as little as possible."

As reported yesterday, the Lufthansa low-cost subsidiary Eurowings will be taking over Air Berlin routes, with the lease for fifty Air Berlin's Airbus planes being put under Lufthansa's name. An issue with this has to do with handling at Palma's Son Sant Joan airport. Acciona is the company which currently provides the service to Air Berlin. A different company, Groundforce (which is part of Globalia, as is Air Europa), looks after Lufthansa flights, including those of Eurowings.