New Ryanair route to Alicante

Two new daily Ryanair flights between Alicante and Gatwick will carry 20,000 tourists a month

On th 18th December Ryanair will begin operating a new route between London, Gatwick and Alicante. It is expected that the new route will bring up to 20,000 more visitors to Alicante every month.

The news of the new route to be operated by Ryanair, which will have two flights daily, was received with great satisfaction by Toni Mayor, the president of the Association of Hotels for the city. He said it was very good news especially in the current economic climate. He added that while other destinations and airports were decreasing their activity, Benidorm continued to be a favourite destination for British tourists. He also said that if Ryanair had decided to open this new route it was because it believed that it would be profitable for the company adding that Ryanair only operated on routes where there was high demand.

The Head of Tourism for the regional government, Angélica Such, said that the figures for the number of foreign tourists visiting the Costa Blanca this year were very positive. Such also referred to an increase of over 2% in foreign visitors to the area while the average for the rest of Spain showed declining figures. Over the last 10 years tourism in the Valencian Region has increased by 44%.

The tourist board for the Comunidad Valenciana now has its sights set on the US where it is planning a number of events to persuade more American tourists to visit this popular part of Spain. It hopes to increase the forecast of 50,000 visitors a year with the creation of new flights on the route between the Valencia and John F Kennedy airport in New York

Cheap flights between Alicante and Madrid

Ryanair route of low cost flights Madrid-Alicante sparks price war

The start of Ryanair flights between Alicante and Madrid on 18th November has led to an 80% reduction in the price of various flights and train journeys on this route. In response to Ryanair’s offer of flights costing 10 euros each way plus additional costs Iberia has started offering flights on the same route for as little as 22 euros, all inclusive. Yesterday the Spanish national rail company, Renfe, responded by offering train tickets booked on the internet for 16 euros one way if booked 2 weeks in advance.

Although prices have dropped over the last few weeks due to the recession Ryanair has recently announced a net profit of 214 million euros during the first financial quarter (April to September) which is a 47% drop compared to 2007. The company said that fuel costs had affected its profits. Ryanair made 407.6 million euros for the same period last year.

The commencement of flights between Alicante and Madrid this month means that there will be 27 flights between the Spanish capital and Alicante daily 13 from Alicante to Madrid and 14 from the capital to Alicante. The last flight that leaves Madrid is at 23.40 hours (Iberia) which leaves Alicante the next day at 7.15 am.

Ryanair is offering the possibility of flying to Madrid twice a day at 14.45 and 22.55 hours and return flights from the capital leave at 13.10 and 21.20 hours- the cost from as little as 10 euros each way plus extras (only hand luggage is allowed free of charge with all hold luggage extra).

Troubled Spanair has not entered into the fray yet and is still charging 50 euros each way from Alicante to Madrid.

Related: Guide to Alicante ## Guide to Madrid