Sevilla’s long-running ambition to secure a direct flight to New York has been revived after the city’s mayor held talks with airline executives in the United States this week.
The route has been a goal for the Sevilla city council for years, but previous attempts stalled – most notably in 2022 when airlines prioritised restoring a New York connection with Malaga instead.
Now mayor Jose Luis Sanz has made a fresh push during a visit to New York, where he met representatives from Delta Airlines.
During the meeting, Sanz highlighted the strong growth of Sevilla Airport in recent years.
The airport handled a record 9.7 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 5.6% compared with 2024 and more than 20% higher than in 2023.
That growth has pushed Sevilla Airport to become the ninth busiest in Spain.
Forecasts from airport operator Aena suggest passenger numbers could reach nearly 11 million by 2030.
Data presented during the meeting showed that travel demand between Sevilla and the US reached around 146,000 passengers in 2025.
That represents a 48% increase compared with 2022. New York stands out as the biggest international destination currently not connected directly to Sevilla.
Around 27,000 passengers travel between the two cities each year, usually connecting through Madrid or other European hubs.
Demand is also growing quickly, with passenger numbers up 43% in January 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier.
Sanz told Delta executives that Sevilla is ready to launch long-haul routes.
According to Sanz, a direct New York connection would be a historic step for the city.
The meeting forms part of Sevilla’s broader strategy to improve its international air connectivity, with particular focus on attracting more long-haul flights from the United States.
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