Iberia add nine aircraft to its fleet in first half of 2022
As a sign of the gradual recovery that Iberia is experiencing in all the markets where it operates, the airline has resumed its aircraft delivery schedule that has been affected by the pandemic. Specifically, in the first half of 2022 the airline will add nine aircraft to its fleet, three A350-900s for long-haul routes and another six A320neo for short- and medium-haul routes.
“The arrival of new aircraft is a clear sign of a recovery that we expect to consolidate this year and will also allow us to offer a very ambitious summer program, while increasing the efficiency of our operations and advancing our commitment to sustainability. The fleet additions are the best news we can give to our own employees, for whom it will provide a much-needed dose of enthusiasm after these two years of pandemic,” said Javier Sánchez-Prieto, Iberia’s Chairman and CEO.
11 new Airbus A350-900s
Of the 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft ordered, 11 remain to be delivered.
The first, with registration number EC-NMZ and name “Hola, Madrid”, arrived last Wednesday, February 23, and two more will be incorporated in the first quarter of the year, which means that Iberia will now have 12 units of this model in its fleet.
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The other eight Airbus A350-900s will be phased in by 2024 and will also come with a new configuration of Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins to enhance the travel experience for Iberia customers.
Six Airbus A320neo with Airspace Cabin
A total of six Airbus A320neo aircraft are also scheduled to join Iberia’s fleet later this year, replacing the aircraft the airline retired during the pandemic.
Specifically, the first two were introduced this February, and the next four will follow in the coming months. All these new A320neo aircraft are equipped with the “Airspace” cabin, with more comfortable interiors for customers, larger luggage compartments for hand luggage, more space on board for passengers due to the redesign of the side panels, a new mood light in the cabin and lavatories with antibacterial finish, among other improvements.
With the arrival of these six A320neo aircraft, Iberia will now have 14 A320neo aircraft. The other three A320neo units that remain to arrive will be incorporated in 2023.
Eight more Airbus A321XLRs
The end of 2023 is also scheduled to see the arrival of the first aircraft of the eight-unit A321XLR order that IAG placed for Iberia in 2019. This new aircraft model will allow the airline to operate new transatlantic destinations and increase frequencies in key markets.
Photo: Adam Moreira/Wikimedia
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