Plus Ultra takes part in Aviation Day 2026 and calls for a more balanced regulatory framework for commercial aviation

Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas took part in Aviation Day 2026, one of the leading forums for the aviation industry, organized by the international law firm Clyde & Co in Madrid.

Alejandro Casado, Plus Ultra’s Chief Operating Officer, spoke as a panelist in the roundtable “Commercial Aviation and Private Aviation: One Sky, Two Operations,” sharing the stage with other prominent industry professionals, including representatives from LunaJets, Grupo Addvalora and Aena.

During his intervention, he highlighted the need to move towards a fairer and more balanced regulatory framework for commercial airlines. In particular, he pointed out two key areas that require specific regulatory action.

On the one hand, compensation to passengers for delays should not systematically fall on airlines when such delays are caused by factors entirely beyond their control, such as baggage handling by third parties, delays at airport security checkpoints or air traffic congestion. Alejandro Casado stated:

“It is necessary to work jointly with regulators and airport operators to establish a fairer legal framework in which compensation amounts are reasonable and proportionate, and where airlines are not solely responsible for bearing these costs.”

The Chief Operating Officer also referred to the need for greater clarity and support from aviation authorities in their recommendations regarding flights in potential geopolitical conflict zones. He noted that:

“At times, the fact that the Aviation Authority can only issue recommendations, without the power to prohibit or mandate, creates complex situations for airlines, which must decide under their sole responsibility whether operations in such areas are safe, while at the same time they may be penalized under European passenger rights regulation (EU Regulation 261/2004), even when acting with the utmost diligence and in line with available guidance.”

As Alejandro Casado concluded:

“Only through constructive and technical dialogue between regulators, authorities and operators can we build a safer, more sustainable, predictable and fair aviation ecosystem.”

The Aviation Day 2026 event brought together industry operators to analyze the state of aviation in Spain, addressing topics such as the impact of geopolitical tensions, the energy transition and decarbonization, cybersecurity, digitalization, supply chain risk management, and the evolution of European and international regulations.