Air Nostrum will continue to operate the air route between Andorra and Madrid in 2023
During the first year, the average occupancy of the flights has been 69%
ANDORRA LA VELLA (ANDORRA), Nov. 4 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish company Air Nostrum will continue to operate the regular flights that connect the Andorra Airport – La Seu d’Urgell (Lleida) with the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas during the year 2023.
This was announced this Friday by the Minister of the Presidency, Economy and Business, Jordi Gallardo, at a press conference to publicize the details of the new award as well as the operating balance of the route during the first year of operation, which records an average occupancy of 69%.
The decision has been made after examining all the documentation provided in the contest called by the Andorran Government, and among the novelties stands out an increase in the public contribution, which goes from 630,000 euros to the 830,000 planned for 2023.
Gallardo has argued that the greater contribution responds to the increase in energy and operating expenses, but if the occupancy rates are maintained, as there is more occupancy of the flights, as in the previous award, imports will decrease.
In fact, of the 630,000 euros planned to guarantee the economic balance this 2022, the minister has advanced that the amount will finally be around 500,000 thanks to the good occupancy rates.
For next year they expect an increase in the seats available on the plane, which will go from 52 to 72, without changing the aircraft, thanks to the review of the aeronautical safety study that until now limited operations, a factor that Gallardo has rated “very positive”.
On the other hand, they also estimate the completion of the airport beaconing works during the first quarter of 2023, which will allow an adjustment of schedules to customer demand.
Until now, in the winter season, the Madrid flight leaves at 2:30 p.m. and the one from La Seu d’Urgell at 4:50 p.m., and when the beaconing is available, the one from Madrid will leave at 4:30 p.m. and the one from La Seu at 6:40 p.m.
The rest of the year, without beaconing, the Madrid flight leaves at 5:50 p.m. and the one from La Seu at 8:00 p.m., and when the works are finished, the departures will be at 6:20 p.m. from Madrid and at 8:40 p.m. from the town Catalan.
The new contract maintains the vinyl wrapping of a plane from the Air Nostrum fleet with advertising for Andorra, as well as the delivery of brochures about the country to passengers, in addition to other strategies to publicize the Principality.
BALANCE
Gallardo has highlighted that the operation of the current route has exceeded initial expectations and that it has behaved “very well” during the winter season, in which it has touched 80%.
Operation in spring -considered low season- has also been considered positive, when occupancy has touched 70%, while in summer it has been less than 50%.
The minister has also been surprised by the figures for autumn, which exceed 70% occupancy, with which, in general, the occupancy of the line stands at 69%.
“The company’s forecasts are exceeded,” he remarked, placing special emphasis on the fact that it is a connection that has started from scratch and an infrastructure with conditions, in his words.
In addition, he explained that since December 17, 2021, when the flights began, there have only been four diversions to the Lleida airport, a record that he considers “insignificant”.
In 96% of the cases, the schedules have been met and there have been no cancellations, for which Gallardo considers that the operation and usefulness of the landing maneuver with GPS are “reinforced”.