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Airlines · Hotels · DestinationsPublished June 29, 20266 min read

Riyadh Air advances Spain launch, Ilunion posts record results, air demand jumps 8.7%

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · June 29, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn

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Riyadh Air advances Spain launch, Ilunion posts record results, air demand jumps 8.7% · AI-generated illustration · notitur.com

International air demand to Spain surges 8.7% in July, while Riyadh Air advances its Spain debut and Etihad announces a massive expansion that will double its fleet by 2030. On the hotel front, Ilunion Hotels posted record revenue and profitability in 2025, and Fuerte Group partnered with Hilton to land in Cancun. Summer looks strong, but competition for talent and connectivity is intensifying.

As we previewed yesterday in the digest on the Spain Living Lab, innovation and expansion are setting the pace. Today, airlines dominate the headlines.

Today's brief

Riyadh Air is moving up its Spain launch and will land in Malaga on July 14, a move that accelerates competition for luxury tourism and Middle East connectivity.

The Saudi airline, which started flying this summer, will launch a seasonal Malaga-Riyadh route with 3 weekly frequencies (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The route will operate until September 8, according to the company. It is Riyadh Air's first Spanish destination and comes three days earlier than its planned Madrid inaugural flight on July 17.
The play is twofold: it captures high-end leisure travelers on the Costa del Sol and positions Riyadh as an alternative hub to Doha and Dubai for connections to Asia. Bookings for flights to Malaga have already spiked, according to industry sources.
The decision to advance the launch and pick Malaga over Madrid as the first destination reflects an aggressive commercial strategy. The airline is competing directly with Emirates and Qatar Airways for European travelers seeking discreet luxury and Gulf connections.

Source: Hosteltur

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Airlines and demand

International air passenger arrivals to Spain will grow 8.7% in July, reaching 14.3 million seats offered, according to Turespaña.

The data, published Monday, confirms that the high season is in full swing. The UK remains the main source market with over 3 million seats, followed by Germany and France. Growth is also supported by long-haul markets: the US, Latin America, and Asia are recovering share.
The Iberia Group is increasing its seat offering by 5% in July, exceeding 3 million seats across 16,945 flights (6.8% more than in 2025). The operation reflects demand pressure in the peak summer weeks and Madrid's role as a hub.
Air Europa has reopened the Madrid-Tel Aviv route with 4 weekly frequencies, increasing to 5 in summer. It is a sign of gradual normalization in the Middle East, though demand remains cautious. The airline has also resumed flights to Venezuela, operating from Valencia airport due to the temporary closure of Caracas.

Sources: Hosteltur - 8.7% more passengers, Hosteltur - Iberia, Hosteltur - Air Europa Tel Aviv

Etihad Airways is in the midst of an aggressive expansion plan: it will double its fleet and pilot count by 2030.

The UAE carrier will grow from 118 to 125 destinations and double its pilot workforce to 4,000. This week it holds selection sessions in Madrid (June 30) and Barcelona (July 2). Vice President of Flight Operations Juan Tuccio confirmed they are scouting European talent to cover the growth.
The decision to recruit pilots in Spain is strategic: the country is a traditional pool of qualified professionals, and Etihad's salary conditions are competitive compared to European airlines. For hoteliers, more long-haul flight capacity means more high-spending tourists.

Source: Hosteltur - Etihad

Hotels

Ilunion Hotels closed 2025 with record revenue of €214.35 million and EBITDA of €51.8 million, with a profitability of 24.2%.

The Spanish chain, which operates 32 hotels in 15 destinations, proves that an inclusive and sustainable tourism model is not only possible but profitable. Its results beat sector forecasts, which averaged 12% revenue growth in 2025.
The company has added the Ilunion Palmanova Mallorca (its first hotel on the island) and closed its first project in Portugal, setting the stage for international expansion. For industry professionals, it is a case study on how to align purpose and profitability without falling into greenwashing.

Source: Hosteltur - Ilunion

Fuerte Group Hotels and Hilton will open the Amàre Cancún Resort in October 2026: 429 rooms, all-inclusive and adults-only.

The resort, part of Hilton's Curio Collection, will be located in the Cancun hotel zone, 24 km from the airport. It will feature 926 m² of meeting space, a gym, and a spa with 9 treatment rooms. Reservations open this summer.
The partnership between a Spanish family group (Fuerte) and a US giant (Hilton) is a smart move: Fuerte brings local destination knowledge and operations, Hilton contributes its global distribution network and Hilton Honors loyalty program. For revenue managers, the resort will be a test of how to capture high-end American travelers heading to the Mexican Caribbean.

Source: Hosteltur - Fuerte Group and Hilton

Paradores has launched a public job offer to fill 645 positions across 91 properties.

The state-owned chain is hiring receptionists, waitstaff, cooks, administrative staff, and maintenance workers. The application deadline is July 15. The offer reflects the sector's need to renew talent in a tight labor market, as well as Paradores' commitment to stabilizing its workforce model.

Source: Hosteltur - Paradores

Startups and funding

No travel-tech funding rounds or startup launches worth highlighting today. The listed sector and major companies dominate the agenda.

What we are watching

US Independence Day is 5 days away. Hotels targeting the American outbound market should have rates and availability updated across direct channels and OTAs. The holiday moves millions of Americans, and last-minute bookings could spike.
Skift Global Forum (September 16-17, New York). Less than three months until the key industry event. Expect announcements on new revenue management technologies and direct distribution strategies.
Passenger forecast for Spain in August. If the July trend holds (8.7% growth), coastal hotels and airlines will need to manage capacity peaks without losing profitability.
Etihad pilot selection sessions in Madrid and Barcelona (June 30 and July 2). They will set the tone for the war for pilot talent between European and Gulf carriers.

Closing

The 2026 high season is confirming what many suspected: demand is not just holding, it is intensifying. Riyadh Air's entry on the Costa del Sol and Etihad's expansion signal that the Middle East continues to compete for high-value European travelers. On the hotel side, Ilunion proves that purpose-driven tourism is profitable, and the Fuerte-Hilton alliance in Cancun points to a strategy of collaboration between local operators and global chains. In the middle of peak booking season, the lesson is clear: anyone without a clear direct value proposition and distribution strategy will pay the price in occupancy and RevPAR. No room for complacency.

In 30 seconds

Riyadh Air advances Malaga launch to July 14 with 3 weekly Riyadh flights on Boeing 787-9. Hosteltur
Ilunion Hotels posts record 2025 results: €214.35M revenue and EBITDA above €50M. Hosteltur
Spain air passenger arrivals rise 8.7% in July, with 14.3 million seats offered. Hosteltur
Etihad will double fleet and pilots by 2030, recruiting in Madrid and Barcelona. Hosteltur
Air Europa reopens Madrid-Tel Aviv route with 4 weekly frequencies. Hosteltur

Quick questions

When does Riyadh Air start flying to Spain?

Riyadh Air advances its debut landing in Malaga on July 14 with a seasonal route to Riyadh, 3 weekly flights on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner until September 8.

How much is international air demand to Spain growing in July?

International passenger arrivals to Spain will grow 8.7% in July reaching 14.3 million seats offered according to Turespana.

Why is Etihad recruiting pilots in Spain?

Etihad will double its fleet and pilots to 4,000 by 2030 and is recruiting in Spain, a traditional talent pool, offering competitive salaries versus European airlines.

Startups

The travel startups we follow, plus the ones surfacing in today's news.

In today's news
HotelversePlataforma de gemelos digitales que permite a los huéspedes elegir su habitación exacta antes de llegar, combinando IA con transparencia.
MoretaPagos para viajeros internacionales que permiten usar wallets QR locales en Asia desde el movil
BlazeApp de pagos transfronterizos entre personas con USDC util para nomadas y viajeros que pagan como locales

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