Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas
Spanish long-haul airline offering scheduled and charter passenger services, primarily between Spain and Latin America.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas is a Spanish long-haul airline established in 2011 and based at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. The carrier was founded by Julio Miguel Martínez Sola, a former director of the now-defunct Air Madrid. Its name comes from “plus ultra,” a Latin expression meaning “further beyond” that became Spain’s national motto and was associated with the personal motto of Charles V. The phrase reverses the classical warning “non plus ultra,” or “nothing further beyond.” Although founded in 2011, Plus Ultra did not begin regular commercial operations until 15 June 2016. Its initial network connected Madrid with long-haul destinations including Santo Domingo and Lima. The airline began with two used Airbus A340-300 aircraft acquired from Gulf Air in late 2014. The choice of the A340 gave the company a wide-body platform suitable for transatlantic operations, while also reflecting the relatively low acquisition cost of second-hand aircraft in the long-haul market. Plus Ultra’s commercial model has centered on links between Spain and Spanish-speaking markets in Latin America, complemented by charter activity and selected connections involving Africa. In 2017, it announced plans for a Barcelona–Madrid–Santiago de Chile route and a Barcelona–Havana service. Neither announced route entered service as originally planned. The following year, the carrier publicized plans to serve Caracas from Tenerife North, reflecting its emphasis on underserved or strategically important links between Spain and Latin America. The airline’s business was heavily affected by the COVID-19 crisis and the resulting collapse in international air travel. In March 2021, the Spanish government approved assistance of €53 million from a fund intended to support companies regarded as strategically important during the economic crisis. The aid generated significant political and legal controversy, including court proceedings concerning whether the support was justified. In January 2023, a judge at Madrid’s Court of Instruction No. 15 dismissed the case described in the available reference material. Plus Ultra has also developed commercial relationships with other carriers. Its reported codeshare arrangement with LASER Airlines supports access to Porlamar, while an agreement with ITA Airways is intended to facilitate connections between Italy and South America through Madrid. An interline agreement with Star Peru connects Madrid with additional Peruvian cities. These arrangements extend the airline’s effective network beyond destinations served solely with its own aircraft. The available reference material identifies Plus Ultra as an active scheduled and charter airline, but does not provide a reliable current ownership structure, executive roster, official website, complete current route list, or verified fleet table. It also contains future-dated operational information and a report of a December 2025 money-laundering investigation; those matters are recorded separately where relevant and should be checked against authoritative current sources before being treated as settled corporate facts.
History
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas was founded in Spain in 2011 by Julio Miguel Martínez Sola, who had previously been a director of Air Madrid. The company adopted the name Plus Ultra, a Latin phrase translated as “further beyond.” The expression is closely associated with Spain because it became the country’s national motto and was linked to Charles V. Its use by the airline signals an outward-looking, international identity consistent with a long-haul carrier. The airline spent several years preparing for operations before launching regular flights. In late 2014, it took over two second-hand Airbus A340-300 aircraft from Gulf Air. These aircraft formed the initial operating fleet and provided the wide-body capacity needed for intercontinental service. Plus Ultra started regular commercial flights on 15 June 2016, with routes including Madrid–Santo Domingo and Madrid–Lima. From the outset, its network concept concentrated on traffic between Spain and Latin America, markets connected by language, historical ties, family travel and business demand. In 2017, the company announced two further services: a Barcelona–Madrid–Santiago de Chile route and a Barcelona–Havana route. Neither began operating as originally scheduled. In 2018, Plus Ultra announced plans to serve Caracas from Tenerife North, again emphasizing links between Spain and Latin American destinations. The available reference does not establish the subsequent operational history of every announced route or provide a complete verified chronology of fleet changes. The airline’s operations faced the severe disruption experienced across the international aviation sector during the COVID-19 crisis. In March 2021, the Spanish government announced €53 million in assistance from a fund designed to support companies considered strategically important during the economic downturn. The decision attracted controversy and prompted legal scrutiny. According to the cited reference material, proceedings were dismissed in January 2023 by a judge at Madrid’s Court of Instruction No. 15. Plus Ultra has sought to broaden its commercial reach through partnerships. A codeshare arrangement with LASER Airlines has been described as supporting flights to Porlamar. The airline has also been associated with a connection arrangement involving ITA Airways for travel between Italy and South America through Madrid, and an interline agreement with Star Peru for onward travel from Madrid to other cities in Peru. Such agreements allow a relatively small long-haul operator to offer network access beyond the destinations served directly by its own aircraft. The available source identifies Plus Ultra as a Spanish airline operating scheduled and charter services, but leaves several corporate details unresolved. Reliable information on its current owner, full executive team, present fleet, exact current destinations and official web address is not supplied. The reference also includes information dated June 2026, which is beyond the normal present verification horizon and should not be assumed to describe current operations without updated checking. A separate report in the same material states that an alleged money-laundering investigation became public in December 2025, involving a police search of the airline’s headquarters and the arrest of its owner and chief executive. The available material does not establish the outcome of that investigation.
- 2023
Court case dismissed
[1]A Madrid investigating judge dismissed proceedings associated with the government support decision, according to the cited reference.
- 2021
Government support announced
[1]Spain announced €53 million in COVID-era support from a strategic-company assistance fund.
- 2018
Caracas service planned
[1]Plus Ultra announced plans for a Caracas route from Tenerife North.
- 2017
Additional routes announced
[1]The company announced proposed services involving Barcelona, Madrid, Santiago de Chile and Havana, but the announced routes did not commence.
- 2016
Scheduled operations begin
[1]Plus Ultra began regular commercial flights on 15 June, including services to Santo Domingo and Lima.
- 2014
Initial aircraft acquired
[1]The airline took over two pre-owned Airbus A340-300 aircraft from Gulf Air as preparation for long-haul operations.
- 2011
Company founded
[1]Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas was established in Spain by Julio Miguel Martínez Sola, a former Air Madrid director.
Products and positioning
Spanish independent long-haul carrier focused on scheduled and charter links between Spain and Latin America, with additional international connectivity.
Passenger aviation · 2016
Scheduled long-haul passenger services
Plus Ultra’s core offering is scheduled international passenger transportation using wide-body aircraft. Its network has focused on routes between Spain and Latin America, including destinations such as Santo Domingo and Lima during the early operating period. The carrier’s model is based on serving long-distance markets from Spanish gateways rather than operating a large domestic network.
Passenger aviation
Charter flights
In addition to scheduled flying, Plus Ultra is described as operating charter services. Charter activity allows the airline to provide aircraft and passenger capacity for organized groups, tour operators or special transportation requirements, although the available sources do not specify a complete charter customer list or program structure.
Airline partnerships
Codeshare and interline connectivity
Partnerships with LASER Airlines, ITA Airways and Star Peru extend Plus Ultra’s market reach. The reported arrangements support access to Porlamar, connections between Italy and South America through Madrid, and onward connections from Madrid to other Peruvian cities. These are network products rather than separately branded consumer services.
Controversies
2025
Reported money-laundering investigation
The available reference reports that an investigation into alleged money laundering became public in December 2025. Police reportedly searched the airline’s headquarters and arrested its owner and chief executive. The source material does not provide the individuals’ names or the final outcome of the investigation.
2021
Controversy over Spanish government support
The Spanish government’s €53 million support package for Plus Ultra during the COVID-19 crisis became politically controversial and was challenged through legal proceedings. The available reference states that a Madrid investigating judge dismissed the case in January 2023.
Brand decisions
2021
Acceptance of strategic-company supportOtherBackground
International passenger aviation experienced severe disruption during the COVID-19 crisis, prompting Spain to create a fund for companies considered strategically important.
Action taken
The Spanish government announced €53 million in assistance for Plus Ultra.
Aftermath
The support triggered public controversy and legal proceedings; the cited reference says the case was dismissed in January 2023.
Government support. €53 million (2021)
2017
Proposed expansion through Barcelona and MadridStrategyBackground
The airline sought to expand its Spanish gateway presence and add South American and Caribbean destinations.
Action taken
Plus Ultra announced Barcelona–Madrid–Santiago de Chile and Barcelona–Havana services.
Aftermath
Neither announced service commenced according to the available reference material.
2016
Launch of scheduled long-haul serviceProduct launchBackground
After several years of preparation and acquisition of two used Airbus A340-300 aircraft, Plus Ultra moved from formation to commercial operation.
Action taken
The airline began scheduled flights on 15 June 2016, including routes to Santo Domingo and Lima.
Aftermath
The launch established the company as a Spanish long-haul operator focused primarily on Latin American markets.
Recent events
- 2023
Court dismisses proceedings concerning Plus Ultra aid[1]
Lawsuit · Regulation
A judge at Madrid’s Court of Instruction No. 15 dismissed the court case concerning the airline’s government support, according to the cited reference material.
- 2021
Spanish government approves €53 million COVID-era support[1]
Regulation · Other
Spain announced financial assistance of €53 million from a strategic-company support fund created during the COVID-19 economic crisis. The decision became politically and legally controversial.
- 2017
Plus Ultra announces additional Latin American routes[1]
Other
The carrier announced proposed Barcelona–Madrid–Santiago de Chile and Barcelona–Havana routes, but neither route entered service as announced.
- 2016
Plus Ultra begins regular commercial operations[1]
Product launch
The airline commenced scheduled service on 15 June 2016, initially operating long-haul routes including Santo Domingo and Lima with Airbus A340-300 aircraft.
Sources1 sources
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