Renfe rejects blame as airlines expand flights after Urda crash

After the rail collision at Urda, Toledo, on Wednesday, 28 October, Renfe said neither that crash nor the earlier Adamuz accident was its responsibility, as airlines expanded services during the Madrid–Andalucía rail shutdown.

The Urda collision involved high-speed trains operated by Renfe and Iryo. Based on figures available on Saturday, 31 October, the provisional toll stood at 69 dead and more than 200 injured. High-speed services remain completely suspended, with no confirmed date for reopening the corridor.

Renfe defends its management

Renfe said its role covers passenger and freight transport, not maintaining or managing rail infrastructure. It rejected attempts to connect the crashes with alleged weaknesses in the safety of its rolling stock or its organisation of work.

The operator said it had recruited 1,999 people this year under a February agreement with unions, with 157 posts still to be advertised. It attributed the rise in personnel spending from €1,058 million to €1,236 million mainly to staff replacement and gradual recruitment.

Renfe described this as its largest intake for 20 years and said the hiring was intended to strengthen safety. Measures cited by the company included doubling staffing at its operations management centre, creating a professional category, placing a conductor-inspector on every train and recruiting workshop specialists.

It also said executive pay complies with Royal Decree 451/2012 and remains within the legal ceiling. Renfe pledged full cooperation with the investigations.

Airlines add capacity and fare limits

Volotea will run a temporary Sevilla–Madrid service from 13 November to 16 December. Four weekly flights are planned initially, with a Thursday service added from December. Its basic fare will be capped at €75 each way.

Wizz Air will begin Madrid routes to Sevilla and Málaga on 6 November. Each will operate twice daily until 13 December, with one-way prices ranging from €45.99 to €99.99.

Iberia has capped all flights to or from Andalucía at €99 each way in economy and €149 in Business until 8 November. It will say in the coming days whether it will add frequencies or seats.

Air Europa has operated three daily Sevilla–Madrid flights since 28 October and plans a fourth on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. It has announced no fare ceiling: prices for November and December start at about €93 each way and can exceed €200 on some dates and times.

Sources: 20minutos; Diario de Sevilla.