Volotea (V7, Barcelona El Prat) has announced it will open a base at Bilbao, in northern Spain, with effect from March 2018.

Using a single B717-200, the Spanish LCC said it will open up new services to Vienna (from March 29), Malta International (from March 24), Palermo International (from June 26), and Malaga (from March 23) while boosting those to existing destinations Sevilla, Venice Marco Polo, Palma de Mallorca, and Ibiza. As demand grows, the B717 will likely be switched out for an A319-100.

"We have just surpassed 125,000 passengers transported in Bilbao," Carlos Muñoz, CEO and founder of Volotea, said in a statement. "This year, we offered 70,000 seats and in 2018 we will increase them to 170,000. After six years of successfully increasing our operations, we will open four new routes next year, multiplying our offerings by two and increasing our frequencies by 160%, reaffirming our vocation for long-term expansion. Three of these new routes allow direct flights to destinations not currently available from Bilbao, thus benefiting customers and companies by increasing the available offer."

Other airlines with a crew base at Bilbao include Air Nostrum (YW, Valencia Manises) and Vueling Airlines (VY, Barcelona El Prat).