CORVERA: New Murcia flight connections planned with UK airports

The regional government is planning to invest in new flight routes that we have long been waiting for

Exciting news for passengers who have long wanted additional flight destinations to and from the Region of Murcia International Airport as the government of the Region is set to continue its ambitious campaign to promote the area as a tourist destination through enhanced air connectivity, including new international flight routes in the United Kingdom and France.

With an investment of €4.1 million, the regional government will fund new routes to Tenerife, France and the United Kingdom while maintaining the more in-demand Barcelona route. However, flights from Murcia to Madrid will not receive further subsidies due to lower occupancy rates.

When the Madrid and Barcelona flights from Murcia’s Corvera Airport started in December 2023, operated by airline Volotea, it was as part of a temporary deal with the Region of Murcia’s Ministry of Tourism. While the Barcelona flights have been shown to work and will be continued, the funding for the Madrid flights will be diverted to other possible connections.

As such, this strategy involves securing new routes and ensuring the continuation of existing ones through marketing contracts rather than direct financial aid to airlines.

This method complies with legal restrictions while stimulating potential demand for commercial viability. The latest contracts include incentives to sustain flights to Barcelona and attract connections with Tenerife, France and the UK.

Murcia-UK flight connections

A key focus of Murcia’s new air route strategy is the United Kingdom. The regional government has allocated €665,500 euros for targeted promotional efforts in three separate UK regions. The funding is divided as follows: €302,500 euros for major UK cities, €181,500 euros for the north of the UK and €181,500 euros for the south.

Each of these contracts has the possibility of further extensions, ensuring long-term engagement with British travellers.

The UK market remains one of the most important for Murcia’s tourism industry. By promoting direct flights and increasing awareness of the Region of Murcia-Costa Cálida as a year-round destination, the regional government hopes to attract more British tourists outside the peak summer months, helping to reduce seasonal dependency.

Once the tender process opens, it will be for individual airlines to bid on each of these three separate contracts to offer Murcia-UK flights, as well as for the marketing and promotion process. It is early days still, and it is not yet known exactly which airports will be included in these contracts nor when the flights could begin.

If there is not sufficient interest or no airlines choose to bid to run these contracts, then there will be no flights. It is now in the airlines’ hands, and so any requests for specific airports that passengers would like to see certain airlines fly to from Murcia should be directed squarely at them.

Domestic flight routes

Since December 2023, the Madrid and Barcelona routes from Murcia have been operated by Volotea under a subsidised contract. However, with the Madrid service proving less popular, the contract will end on March 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona connection, which has shown greater demand, will remain in place, with funding available for its renewal until at least May 27, 2025.

Volotea, the low-cost airline founded by Murcian businessman Carlos Muñoz, has not yet confirmed whether it will bid for the new tenders for Barcelona and France, although these are reportedly of interest to the company.

In addition to Barcelona, Volotea has committed to maintaining its routes from Murcia to Bilbao and Oviedo, both of which will continue to receive incentives. The regional government is also considering extending two of its tourism promotion contracts to further boost the airport’s connectivity.

Additional co-marketing campaigns to promote Murcia in Oviedo, Bilbao and Gran Canaria remain in effect this year, with possible further extensions. Volotea was awarded the Bilbao and Oviedo contracts for €180,000, running from July 2024 to July 2025, while another Spanish airline, Binter, was allocated €75,000 for the Gran Canaria promotion.

Expanding air routes and tourism marketing

The regional government’s approach aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen Murcia’s position as a year-round tourist destination. Sources from the Institute of Tourism of the Region of Murcia highlight that the aim is to increase both national and international tourist arrivals while counteracting the seasonality that affects the region’s tourism industry.

One of the key upcoming contracts is aimed at establishing Murcia’s presence in Tenerife. The regional government has selected Binter as the airline to operate this route, with a contract valued at €157,300 and an option for up to three extensions.

Furthermore, tenders have been published on the state contracting platform for promotional services for the Barcelona and France routes. The Barcelona contract is worth €1,270,500, while the specific French destination is yet to be determined, with an allocated budget of €544,500. Both contracts include extension options for the same amounts.

Volotea is currently analysing the new tender opportunities from the regional government, particularly the contracts for the Barcelona and France routes. Gabriel Schmilovich, the company’s director of strategy, confirmed that, after the airline’s contract for the Madrid route ends in March, there are no plans to continue this service independently.

Volotea remains the leading carrier in terms of domestic routes from Murcia’s airport, having sold 108,000 seats across its routes last year. They recently offered to pick up all of the flight routes Ryanair said they would be dropping at Spanish airports this summer.

The airline is keen to maintain its presence in the region and is considering bidding for the new contracts, particularly the France route, as it has extensive experience operating in medium-sized French airports.

Murcia’s regional airport saw 907,668 passengers last year, a 3.4% increase compared to 2023 but still 16.8% below pre-pandemic levels. The government’s continued investment in route development is aimed at recovering and expanding this figure.

With the introduction of new subsidised routes, particularly focusing on the UK, and ongoing tourism promotion efforts, Murcia is set to enhance its connectivity, attract more visitors and strengthen its position as a key travel destination in Spain. Whether Volotea or other airlines will take advantage of the new opportunities remains to be seen, but the regional government’s commitment to developing its air links is evident.

In May 2025, a new private airport transfer service will be starting at Murcia Airport, taking passengers to and from the airport on routes from Torrevieja, San Juan de los Terreros and La Manga del Mar Menor. The new bus service is expected to vastly improve connectivity at the airport, and it is already possible to book your journey in advance online now:

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Shuttle bus connecting Corvera Airport with key destinations, launching May 2025

Airport Buses Murcia Airport transfer service

Starting on May 22, 2025, Airport Buses will launch a daily shuttle transfer service connecting the Region of Murcia International Airport with key destinations across Murcia, southern Alicante and Almería, every time there is a direct flight between Corvera Airport and a destination in the UK or Ireland, plus selected European flights.

Three initial routes will serve:

La Manga route: Murcia Airport, Cabo de Palos, Playa Honda, Capfun, Mar de Cristal, Los Belones, La Manga Club, Cartagena and La Manga Strip (€12.99-€19.99/adult each way)
Torrevieja route: Murcia Airport, Torre Pacheco, Las Terrazas de La Torre Golf Resort, La Torre Golf Resort, Roldan, ONA Mar Menor Golf Resort, Los Alcázares, Los Narejos, San Javier, Santiago de Ribera, Lo Pagán, San Pedro de Pinatar, Pilar de Horadada, Campoamor, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Mil Palmeras, Cabo Roig and Torrevieja (€8.99-€19.99/adult each way)
San Juan route: Murcia Airport, Condado de Alhama, Camposol, Mazarrón Country Club, Puerto de Mazarrón, Mazarrón, Águilas, Calarreona, San Juan de los Terreros and Mar de Pulpí (€13.99-€25.99/adult each way)

Airport Buses aims to offer affordable, reliable transport while considering future expansions, including routes to Alicante Airport and additional stops across Murcia.

Children’s tickets are half price and there are also group discounts available.