Air Europa is enhancing its global presence by investing in key routes in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating a long-term commercial vision for the future. The airline, part of Spain’s leading tourism group Globalia, is making strides to become a significant player in long-haul aviation through strategic partnerships in the UAE.

Recently, Air Europa announced an expansion of its partnership with Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE. The aim is to transform their current codeshare and frequent flyer cooperation into a comprehensive strategic alliance, which will significantly enhance Air Europa’s connectivity across the Middle East and Asia, while establishing Madrid as a vital hub for transcontinental travel.

Beginning in summer 2025, Etihad Airways plans to operate two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Madrid, which serves as Air Europa’s main operations center. This new route will act as a bridge between Europe, Latin America, and Asia, regions where both airlines have established market positions.

Passengers can expect to benefit from integrated booking systems, shared mileage accumulation, and an improved overall service experience through this collaboration. Such synergies are anticipated to bolster the competitive stance of both airlines within a global aviation landscape increasingly characterized by strategic partnerships.

This initiative aligns with Air Europa’s broader strategy for internationalization, which has been developed under Globalia’s leadership and historically supported by former CEO Javier Hidalgo. He emphasized the importance of alliances in expanding market access, fostering innovation, and enhancing the company’s global standing.

Today, this vision continues to guide Air Europa’s strategic expansion, which is built on three main pillars: connectivity, customer experience, and technological modernization. Globalia provides the necessary organizational support, financial structure, and operational synergies to pursue these ambitious international plans.

With over 15 000 professionals and services in more than 30 countries, Globalia fosters coordinated growth across its various business units, including aviation, travel agencies, tour operators, and hotels. The partnership with Etihad exemplifies Globalia’s commitment to expanding its international footprint through valuable partnerships in critical regions.

In a previous industry discussion, Javier Hidalgo noted, “Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are becoming essential markets for European airlines. Strategic cooperation is the key to building bridges—not only between destinations but also between business cultures.”

By investing in connectivity with the United Arab Emirates, Air Europa is positioning itself to meet the rising demand for global mobility and to take advantage of economic growth corridors between Europe and Asia. The alliance with Etihad is not merely an expansion of routes; it reflects Air Europa’s ambition to establish itself as a reference airline in intercontinental travel, linking continents through a hub that is increasingly significant in global aviation: Madrid.