As passenger demand gradually recovers, Iberia has resumed its aircraft delivery schedule. During the first half of 2022, the Spanish airline will receive three new Airbus A350-900s for long-haul routes and six new Airbus 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. It will allow us to offer a very ambitious summer program while increasing the efficiency of our operations and advancing in our commitment to sustainability» said Javier Sanchez-Prieto, President of Iberia.
More Airbus A350-900s to the long-haul fleet
Of the 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft ordered, 11 remain to be delivered. The first of the three A350s to be delivered this year arrived on February 23 with the registration number EC-NMZ and christened «Hola, Madrid». Two more aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of this year. This means that Iberia will have 12 units of this model for the northern hemisphere summer season.
These aircraft are between 30% and 35% more efficient thanks to the new generation materials with which they are built, as well as the advanced design of their Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
The other eight A350s will be gradually added to the fleet by 2024. They will feature a new generation of Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins, which will enhance the customer experience.
Expanding the fleet of short/medium-haul aircraft
Iberia will take delivery of six new Airbus A320neo aircraft during 2022, replacing the aircraft that the Spanish carrier retired during the COVID-19 crisis to adapt to falling passenger demand.
The first two aircraft have already been delivered in February, and the other four units are due to be delivered in the coming months. All of these new A320neo aircraft are equipped with the new «Airspace» cabin, which incorporates new improvements to the passenger cabin.
With the arrival of these six new aircraft, Iberia will have 14 A320neo aircraft in its fleet and expects to receive another three aircraft by 2023.
The arrival of the new Airbus A321XLR
The end of 2023 is scheduled for the arrival of the first aircraft of the eight-unit A321XLR order that IAG placed for Iberia during the 2019 Paris Air Show. This new generation narrowbody aircraft will enable the airline to operate new transatlantic destinations and increase frequencies to key destinations.
Iberia Group aircraft fleet
The company’s fleet consists of 147 aircraft, distributed as follows: 75 Iberia of the A350, A330, and A320 models; 19 Iberia Express of the A320 family; and another 53 Nostrum of the CRJ-200/900/100 and ATR 72-600 units.
See also: Iberia sets dates for new routes to the U.S. and returns to San Francisco
