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Iberia Airlines - Who are they?
Iberia, the largest airline in Spain is the Spanish flag carrier with over 80 years of experience. The Madrid based airline was founded in 1927 and carries the full name of Iberia Airlines of Spain. Iberia is Spain’s largest air transport group and the fourth-largest in Europe. It is also the leading airline on routes between Europe and Latin America and between Spain and Europe. Iberia has approximately 24,000 employees and is one of the most profitable scheduled carriers. In 2006 the airline reported a net profit of €56.7 million and carried 27.8 million passengers. With its parent company, the Iberia Group, it is listed in the Spanish stock market and is the only European airline to have posted a profit in each of the past 11 years.
Iberia Airlines - British Airways interest
The core shareholders in Iberia are: Caja Madrid – 23.45%, British Airways 10%, SEPI – 5.2%, El Corte Inglés – 2.9%. British Airways has first right to purchase another 32% of Iberia's shares and has to approve any proposed takeover. It has been suggested that British Airways will takeover 49% of Iberia's shares in the near future.
Iberia Airlines - Oneworld alliance
Iberia is allied with American Airlines, Qantas, Avianca, British Airways, and Grupo TACA. In September 1999, Iberia became the founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which altogether serves some 700 destinations.
Iberia Routes
With a fleet of over 200 aircraft, Iberia serves over a hundred destinations across the world, independently serving 42 countries and with an arrangement with other carriers, reaches another 88 cities in 34 countries. Spain’s leading airline also offers customers the Madrid-Barcelona Puente Aéreo (air shuttle), the walk-on shuttle service that connects the two cities.
Iberia Fleet
Iberia has one of Europe’s most modern fleets and has a total of 147 aircraft. Iberia Airlines also maintains its own aircraft as well as those of another 100 carriers throughout the world. The Iberia fleet consists of the following aircraft:
19 x Airbus A319 (132 passengers)
46 x Airbus A320 (153 passengers)
19 x Airbus A321 (174 passengers)
20 x Airbus A340-300 (260 passengers)
13 x Airbus A340-600 (352 passengers)
Iberia & Clickair
Iberia has a 20% stake in low-cost carrier Clickair, the low-cost carrier based in Barcelona. Clickair aims to offer low prices with a wide variety of destinations, whilst also offering added services that have never been offered before by low-cost carriers, such as a points scheme under the Iberia Plus loyalty programme. The Clickair fleet consists of 22 x Airbus A-320’s, covering 50 different routes. Iberia also has a 0.95% share in Royal Air Maroc.
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