Vueling co-founder Sue Smith dies

Sue Smith, one of the people behind the creation of Vueling, has died. The Spanish low-cost carrier confirmed the death. She was Spanish.

The airline said the idea for what became Vueling took shape in 2002, during conversations between Smith and Eduardo Fairén about the future of aviation. She went on to play a central role in building the company.

Her work included helping to set up the operations control centre, crew management and customer service. After news of her death emerged in September 2026, Vueling paid tribute to her vision, enthusiasm and commitment. The airline said she had helped turn an idea into a company and laid the foundations for its later development.