International Airlines Group (IAG) has confirmed its new low-cost long-haul business will operate under the LEVEL brand. The airline will launch from Barcelona from June 1, 2017 with flights to Buenos Aires, Punta Cana, Los Angeles and Oakland International using two Airbus A330-200s configured with a premium economy and economy onboard offering.
Southwest’s expansion into the international market from Oakland International comes as the airport enhances its facilities to handle a significant increase in international traffic during 2017. Work is well underway to modernise and expand the International Arrivals Building for US Customs & Border Protection services, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.
Announced earlier this week, British Airways will begin service into the fourth busiest airport in California. Oakland International Airport will see traffic from London Gatwick four times a week.
Budget carrier Norwegian has this week announced details of its latest long-haul European base with transatlantic flights launching to five destinations in the United States of America from June 2017. Airports from across Europe continue to pitch in a competitive battle to make use of the carrier’s ever increasing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, but on this occasion it is Barcelona that has come out the winner.
The largest carrier at Long Beach Airport is increasing both the number of destinations and flights, having been awarded three new slots at the airport.
This will be the only regular flight between the UK and Oakland International Airport, which is growing in popularity as an alternative gateway into the San Francisco Bay Area and certainly an ideal destination for low-cost, long-haul operators.
According to its application, Volaris intends to use either Airbus A319 or A320 equipment on the route and services will commence “shortly after all approvals are obtained”. This will be its first international route from Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta, which it currently serves from Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana.
The carrier has traditionally focused almost exclusively on connecting small and medium-sized cities to its focus airports located mostly in leisure destinations across the United States. However, this latest expansion continues a recent trend of introducing flights into larger markets.
