Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas (PU, Madrid Barajas) has delayed its planned launch date from the first quarter of this year, to later this summer the Flight Consulting news blog has reported.

Though the start-up has yet to complete certification, it has acquired two ex-Gulf Air (GF, Bahrain International) A340-300s - EC-MFA (cn 212) and EC-MFB (cn 215) - for use in developing long haul routes to South America with Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini, Havana International, Panamá City Tocumen International, and Cartagena Rafael Núñez International mentioned as likely maiden destinations.

Spain's Preferente newspaper says the carrier is also in the process of establishing its own tour operating subsidiary - Plus Ultra Vacaciones - to be headed up by Welcoming Internacional, a Madrid-based hospitality firm, which also owns a 40% stake in the carrier.