Volotea is the first Spanish airline to achieve full approval for its 'Safety Management System'

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Barcelona, April 3^rd, 2024 - Volotea, the airline connecting small and medium-sized European cities, has received full approval for its Safety Management System (SMS) from the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA).

This achievement is exceptional for the company, which has made significant efforts to become the first regular operating airline to receive this certification ahead of the deadline set by new EASA regulations, due by the end of 2024.

Previously, certification only allowed for the supervision of operations and maintenance management conducted by third parties. Now, in accordance with Annex 145 of European regulation, the airline has expanded its scope to cover comprehensive maintenance management, therefore including its own maintenance. This expansion further consolidates safety and quality standards across all Volotea operations.

Currently, the airline has a team of 42 highly trained and certified aeronautical mechanics. These mechanics meet the industry's strictest standards and prioritize operational excellence and flight safety. They are located at the Volotea's bases in Bilbao (5), Asturias (12), Verona (13), Finkenwerder (1), and Venice (11).

The comprehensive SMS certification not only strengthens Volotea's commitment to aviation safety but also introduces significant improvements for the airline and its operations. Benefits include increased safety levels, aligned with the carrier's objective to be recognized as the airline with the highest safety standards in the industry. Additionally, the ability to provide safety and maintenance instructions directly to the company's mechanics improves operational efficiency and service quality. Moreover, the in-house management of maintenance and safety processes ensures rigorous compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes a culture of safety throughout the organization.

Volotea continues to solidify its leadership in implementing the best practices in aviation safety and is committed to innovation and continuous improvement to ensure the maximum safety and satisfaction of its passengers on each flight.

ABOUT VOLOTEA

Volotea was founded in 2011 by Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, also previously founders of Vueling. It is one of the fastest-growing independent airlines in Europe in the last decade, increasing its fleet, routes served, and seats offered year-on-year. This year, the airline will celebrate a milestone of carrying 60 million passengers throughout its network.

Volotea reaches 110 airports and is based in 21 medium-sized European capitals: Asturias, Athens, Bari (new for 2024), Bilbao, Bordeaux, Brest (new for 2024), Cagliari, Florence, Hamburg, Lille, Lyon, Lourdes, Marseille, Nantes, Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Venice, and Verona.

This year, Volotea will operate nearly 450 routes (with over half exclusive), offer 12.5M seats (+10% versus 2023), and fly approximately 80,000 flights. The airline operates a fleet of 44 Airbus A319 and A320.

Volotea is working towards achieving a more sustainable future in aviation. The airline is set to achieve its target of reducing direct CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 50% by 2025, five years ahead of the initial schedule. Furthermore, the airline has set a new and even more ambitious goal: to decrease emissions by 58% by 2030. To date, Volotea has launched over 50 sustainability initiatives that have already driven a reduction in carbon footprint per passenger and kilometer by more than 45%. Since 2022, the company has been working on developing emission-free alternative technologies, operating Airbus' internal shuttle service with 34% sustainable aviation fuel and collaborating with manufacturers and the industry so that these fuels (now difficult to access) can be developed and become widespread as soon as possible.

Volotea, with a projected workforce of approximately 2,000 employees this year, actively boosts connectivity within the territories where it is based while contributing to their economic development and enriching the cultural landscape through impactful sponsorship projects.

Volotea was recognized by Skytrax in its global passenger satisfaction survey as the "Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe" at the 2023 World Airline Awards, referred to by media worldwide as "the Oscars of the aviation industry." The airline adds this accolade to its growing list of achievements, which includes consecutive wins for "Europe's Leading Low-Cost Airline" at the World Travel Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

For more information visit:https://www.volotea.com/en/press-room/