Spain’s Air Europa Receives Its First Boeing 787

Spanish carrier Air Europa has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, in a ceremony held at Boeing’s 787 assembly site at Charleston International Airport in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Air Europa has leased its first Boeing 787, a 787-9, from SMBC Aviation Capital. The March 15 delivery is also the first Dreamliner for SMBC Aviation Capital.

On March 15, 2016, Spanish carrier Air Europa took delivery of the first of 22 Boeing 787s on order either directly from Boeing or via leasing companies

The newest addition to Air Europa’s fleet will touch down at Madrid Barajas Airport on March 16, following a non-stop 4,128-mile (6,643-kilometer) delivery flight from Boeing’s 787 North Charleston 787 final assembly line.

“Today’s delivery begins a new chapter in Air Europa’s story. The state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner will provide us with significant operational advantages as we aim to expand our footprint around the globe,” says Juan José Hidalgo, president of Globalia, the parent company of Air Europa.

“Additionally, it is an airplane that will offer our passengers an unrivaled on-board experience, and arrive at their holiday destination feeling refreshed,” adds Hidalgo.

Air Europa announced an order for 14 787-9s in 2015, the largest Boeing widebody order ever placed by a Spanish carrier.

Mallorca-headquartered Air Europa has a combined total of 22 787-8s and 787-9s on order as it transitions to an all-Boeing long-haul fleet.