New Route of the Day (24 June 2026): Air Europa between Madrid and Johannesburg

Air Europa added flights between Madrid and Johannesburg on Wednesday 24 June. The 8,075-kilometre route will be maintained 3-weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with the 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The carrier does not face any competition between the two cities.

Flight UX157 departs Madrid at 23:45 local time, arriving in Johannesburg at 09:50 the following morning. The return service, operating as flight UX158, takes off at 18:55 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving back in the Spanish capital at 05:05 the following morning.

What they said

Juan Jose Moral de la Rosa, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Development at Air Europa, said: “South Africa is a strategic gateway into the African continent. We see the service as part of our 40th anniversary of international expansion. It represents our determination to continue growing and connecting people across the world.”

Jabulani Khambule, Regional General Manager at operator Airports Company South Africa, added: “The launch of Air Europa’s direct service between Madrid and Johannesburg reflects confidence in South Africa as a destination for business, tourism and investment. Every new international route strengthens our country’s connectivity, stimulates economic activity and supports the continued growth of tourism and trade. We are proud to welcome Air Europa to OR Tambo International Airport and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Spain – South Africa flights resume after seven years

Iberia was the last carrier to maintain flights between Spain and South Africa, operating on the Madrid – Johannesburg route in 2019.

The route is Air Europa’s first entry into sub-Saharan Africa. Up until now, the airline’s African network has been limited to Morocco and Tunisia. It will provide some 92,000 seats between the two cities on an annual basis.

To expand connectivity beyond Johannesburg, Air Europa has signed an interline agreement with South African carrier CemAir. The partnership enables passengers to book onward domestic and regional flights across South Africa on a single itinerary.