Spanair S.A., a Spanish airline was founded in December of 1986. It is 100% owned by the SAS Group (Scandinavian Airlines). Flights began at the end of March 1988, and since then more than 104* million passengers have flown with Spanair.
Spanair began operations with its international charter flights, carrying tourists to Spain from more than 100 European airports. The company has also developed important domestic vacation traffic between the Spanish peninsula and the Balearic and Canary Islands. After adding B-767-300ER planes to its fleet, the company increased its operations by adding long-distance routes in 1991.
In February of 1994 Spanair began its scheduled operation within Spain, and shortly afterward it increased its European routes, while at the same time establishing its ground personnel service system. At present, 87% of the company’s flights are scheduled, while the remaining 13% are split between Charter and other operations*.
In November of 1997 Spanair began its first scheduled flights to intercontinental markets with service between Madrid and Dulles international airport in Washington. This was followed by flights from Madrid to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana, which have led to code share agreements with many prestigious airlines.
When Spanair began its operations in 1988, it transported 454.624** passengers, with sales of 36 million euros. In 2007 some 11.2 million passengers flew with the company and consolidated revenues for the Spanair Group 2007, reached 1.171 million euros.
Punctuality is a priority for Spanair, as well as for its passengers. For this reason, since February 2001, it is the only Spanish airline offering a punctuality guarantee commitment on its domestic routes, in line with the idea of ensuring the highest quality service to all its passengers both in-flight and on the ground.
The Punctuality Guarantee system rewards Business Avant travellers with an Avant electronic voucher that can be exchanged for another flight travelling in any class that the passenger chooses and on any Spanair domestic route within the Spanish Peninsula or the Balearic Islands. To receive a free ticket that is valid for any flight to or from the Canary Islands, two Avant electronic vouchers will be required. An electronic voucher will also be given to passengers who travel Economy class that entitles them to a 25% discount based on the online or published fare and valid for the next time they buy any domestic flight operated by the airline. These conditions apply if the aircraft doors close more than 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time due to reasons attributable to the airline.
As well as this, since the 10th of March 2008 Spanair launched its Spanairx4 product, which gives customers flying its domestic routes the option of choosing between four different flight classes: Business, Avant, Economy Plus and Economy. The company is thereby offering its passengers a time-saving product, which enhances flexibility and adds to the advantages offered by the four classes.
Spanair was awarded the ALPHA Excellence in Marketing, which honours the company's initiative towards their passengers and improvement of standards in quality of service. Spanair was also awarded with an ISO 9001:2000 certified Corporate Quality Program and became the first Spanish airline to receive an IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification.
Since April 1st. 2003, Spanair, is a member of the Star Alliance network, the biggest and most successful airline alliance in the world.
* 9% from Charter operations, 4% from ACMI, Cargo & Mail, & Other
** Source: Civil Aviation
Spanair spellings