A new Spanish low-cost airline, called Iberia Express, has opened for business offering tickets from as little as €25 (£21) for a one-way ticket.

The airline’s launch comes just a couple of months after the demise of Spain’s fourth largest airline in January this year. Barcelona-based, Spanair was forced to abruptly stop operating after Qatar Airlines ceased takeover talks effectively ending all prospects of future financing. The airline’s demise resulted in 20,000 passengers being stranded across Europe and Africa.

Iberia Express, owned by the International Airlines Group, will initially cover the Spanish cities of Madrid, Vigo and Granada as well as the islands of Ibiza, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There are plans to extend at a later stage to cover Italy, Greece, Latvia, The Netherlands and The Republic of Ireland.

Iberia’s new entry to Europe’s competitive market for low-cost airlines is starting small with just 500 employees and a fleet of four Airbus 320. Luis Gallego, Chief Executive has commented that “the containment of costs will allow Iberia Express to grow and compete with low-cost operators”.

Since Spanair ended trading, RyanAir has also made it known that they are in the process of examining their opportunities in Spain stating that they “certainly see it as an opportunity to expand their base”.

The arrival of Iberia Express and increased interest in the Spanish market from other low-cost airlines will no doubt delight those travelling to Spain on a regular basis as increased competition between carriers is likely to result in cheaper flight prices.

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