IAG to Add 13 Airbus Aircraft to Iberia

International Airlines Group (IAG), parent of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, plans to convert up to five Airbus A330200 and eight A350-900 options into orders for Iberia as well as open new longhaul routes.

In August 2014, IAG ordered eight A330200s, to be delivered this year and next, along with eight A350-900s for delivery from 2018 - 2020.

The company hopes to open new longhaul routes in 2016 and 2017, which will include new territories such as a return to Japan or Qatar. Possible destinations include Tokyo, Doha (Qatar), Johannesburg, Toronto, Guadalajara, Managua, San Juan de Puerto Rico, Brasilia and Asunción. The new destinations will be announced before the end of the year, following profitability studies.

In this year's second quarter, Iberia more than tripled its operating profit to EUR51 million (US$57 million).

"This announcement is a confirmation of our commitment to global growth, though always under the premise that sustained profitability is the key criteria," Iberia executive chairman Luis Gallego said.

Since April 2014, when Iberia launched its Plan de Futuro costcutting plan and reached new agreements with labor unions, the IAG subsidiary has launched 30 new routes to 22 new destinations. It currently serves 119 destinations in 43 countries with a fleet of almost 130 aircraft.

Last year Iberia posted its first operating profit in six years.
By Kurt Hofmann, ATW Daily News