Southern Europe is a huge growth area from the US and Canada. This is mainly due to inbound tourism—people are increasingly seeking out new adventures—and visiting friends and relatives. Airlines have responded with creative new markets. Various places will gain transatlantic flights in 2026, including Malta, Olbia, and Santiago de Compostela. They build on other cities that welcomed them in 2025, such as Bilbao, Catania, and Valencia.

Some developments are extreme. For example, Air Canada and WestJet recently announced Toronto-Ponta Delgada flights for next year, joining Azores Airlines in what is a very thin market. It epitomizes the development of North America-Southern Europe, with major questions about overcapacity and sustainability.

Italy Remains The Largest Southern Eur

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