Air Europa announced this Friday that it will suspend certain inter-island flights that connected Majorca with Minorca and Majorca with Ibiza. The decision follows a move to end the monopoly that Air Nostrum had exercised for years over the Balearic air links. The routes are being kept active through a coordinated plan with UEP! fly, an arrangement that ensures the island-to-island connections remain in service as of March 26. This setup preserves the essential air links between the Balearic destinations while the other service patterns are reorganized.
Maintaining robust operation across the Balearic Islands was a priority for the parties involved. The agreement with UEP! fly, functioning as an inter-island routing company, provides a strong guarantee of reliable connectivity for travelers living on or visiting the islands. The leadership of the collaboration emphasized that continuity in these routes supports both residents and tourism in a crowded and diverse archipelago market. The statement underscored UEP! flys commitment to ensuring stable schedules and dependable service across the main Balearic routes.
UEP! fly, a Balearic airline subsidiary of fast air, began operating between the islands on July 16, 2021. The initial service featured six daily frequencies, including three outbound and three return flights. In the early stages the network covered Palma to Ibiza and Palma to Menorca, operated with a fleet of four ATR 72 aircraft, each configured with 68 seats. The carrier now assumes responsibility for filling the gap left by Air Europa as of March, continuing to connect the key Balearic hubs with a focus on efficiency and passenger convenience. The expansion plan reflects a careful assessment of demand patterns and the need to maintain steady connectivity for island travelers.
Salvador Brown, president of UEP! fly, noted the long standing partnership with Air Europa and the broader Swiftair group. He highlighted the value of collaboration for island communities and stressed enthusiasm about the new phase of inter-island operations. The leadership conveyed confidence that the joint approach will support passenger flows while preserving the quality of service that travelers expect on these popular routes.
Eight years of Air Europa inter-island flights
Air Europa began inter-island operations with support from local entrepreneurs in the Balearic Islands nearly eight years ago. The initiative started in May 2015 and has benefited from regional leadership and the occupied space within the island network. Abel Matutes and the associated group facilitated the early expansion efforts, and the control center in Llucmajor opened with a workforce that has grown to about 150 employees. The maiden inter-island flight connected Mao to Palma and touched down at Son Sant Joan, marking the start of a broader program dedicated to linking the major Balearic centers. By December of that year the service had carried a substantial passenger total, illustrating strong market interest.
Matutes joined the Air Europa group two years later, bringing further strategic alignment to the Balearic inter-island framework. The evolving network continued to develop in response to demand, with the overall goal of maintaining steady air access between Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca. The momentum of these services coincided with other notable industry movements in the region, including broader airline group initiatives and regulatory adjustments affecting cross-border services in the wider Caribbean corridors.
In parallel developments, the parent group World has announced steps to strengthen its international connections, including a strategic focus on Spain and the Dominican Republic. After obtaining the necessary permissions from civil aviation authorities in the Caribbean, additional Madrid to Punta Cana operations were planned for the winter period, establishing a broader route portfolio. The evolving position of Air Europa in these markets reflects a broader trend toward expanded network reach while balancing regulatory and operational considerations. The airline has also been authorized to operate a larger number of flights under special permit arrangements on routes including Madrid, Santo Domingo, and New York, aligning with seasonal demand patterns and international travel flows. These changes illustrate how interline and codeshare partnerships, in combination with regulatory clearances, shape the trajectory of long-standing inter-island and cross-continental travel.