With 39M international PAX in 2017, that number has more than doubled since 2004 (18M) and grown more than 50% since the old record of 2007 (52M of which 29M were international).
Compared to other European hubs like Frankfurt or Amsterdam, there are many unserved destinations in North America, Asia or Africa.
Those are the busiest airports in metro areas with no connections to MAD:
Top 10 US/Canada. Most if not all of them are connected to London/Paris/Frankfurt/Amsterdam:
- Denver
Las Vegas
Seattle
Orlando
Phoenix
Houston
Minneapolis
Detroit
Salt Lake City
Vancouver
Top 10 Asia:
- Guangzhou (announced by China Southern)
Jakarta
Singapore
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Mumbai
Taipei
Kunming
Manila
Chongqing
Top 5 Africa:
- Cape Town
Nairobi
Lagos
Durban
Hurghada
Top 5 Latin America:
- Brasilia
Guadalajara
Belo Horizonte
Monterrey
Porto Alegre
What do you think would it be feasible in the next 5-10 years? My bet:
- Bangkok: Thai
Brasilia: Iberia/LATAM
Kunming: China Eastern Airlines/Beijing Capital Airlines
Chongqing: Hainan Airlines/Beijing Capital Airlines/Tianjin Airlines
Guadalajara: Iberia
Guangzhou: China Southern Airlines
Las Vegas: Norwegian
Monterrey: Iberia
Mumbai: Air India/Jet
Nairobi: Kenya Airways
Orlando: Norwegian
Singapore: SQ/Scoot
Taipei: China Airlines/EVA Air
I am a bit skeptical about DEN and IAH with UA being so weak in Spain. Thoughts?