Iberia demands pilot exemptions for first time in favour of its ‘low cost’ in distribution of eight planes | Companies

Iberia’s 1,800 pilots have been called to crucial meetings for the company’s future in short- and medium-haul transport. As the company develops Five daysManagement has presented a proposal to the Sepla union proposing an increase in the dispersed fleet at the parent company and at its low-cost subsidiary Iberia Express, which would require abandoning what the pilots’ agreement requires.

Iberia’s 1,800 pilots have been called to crucial meetings for the company’s future in short- and medium-haul transport. As the company develops Five daysManagement has presented a proposal to the Sepla union to expand the disparate fleets of the parent company and its low-cost subsidiary Iberia Express, which would require a waiver of what the pilots’ agreement requires. Sources close to the talks say a total of eight aircraft would be added: two for Iberia and six for Express. budget and contrary to what had been established in 2014 to end the labour dispute around the creation of the brand two years earlier. Restrictions were then placed on Iberia Express growing beyond Iberia.

The pilots assured themselves in Appendix X of the eighth agreement that Express could only add aircraft if the parent company did so in equal proportions. In addition, the capacity budget It could not exceed 15% of the seats operated by the veteran Iberia. All because the pilots saw their jobs threatened by an internal competitor designed to fly passengers long distances to Madrid-Barajas.

After the guarantee that Sepla was then demanding was signed, Iberia’s management had been trying for years to separate the evolution of its two brands, which it could now temporarily achieve.

When the eight new aircraft begin flying, expected in 2028, the ratio of one Iberia Express aircraft for every unit entering the headquarters will return. The goal of the management team led by Marco Sansavini is for Iberia to operate 61% of the group’s short- and medium-haul aircraft by the end of these four years (it currently has 65%), with 39% in the hands of Iberia Express. (35% operate today). The parent company will increase its short- and medium-haul fleet from 48 to 50, and the subsidiary from 26 to 32 units.

The plan, which pilots are to vote on, is that Iberia will receive one plane in 2026, another in 2027, while its younger sister will receive three in 2026, two more in 2027 and the last plane in 2028. The maximum will be maintained that Yes, Express will never have a larger fleet than its parent company, unless the viability of the group is threatened. Even with a sharp decline in production and the subsequent withdrawal of aircraft, the 60%-40% ratio between the fleets of both brands will be maintained.

In addition to this entire offer, there are eight A321 XLR aircraft that will be dedicated to long-haul flights to Iberia and will begin to arrive after the summer.

New opportunities

The package of measures agreed by the company and the majority union Sepla includes the dismissal of co-pilots up to captain: two at Iberia Express for every three at Iberia; the creation of a single-record system within the company or its budgetthrough the Iberia Group selection centre or the opening of technical and administrative areas, such as inspection and training, for pilots with more than one year of experience in the company.

Finally, it is proposed to open a 30-day period for Express pilots to join Iberia, to do so as a co-pilot on Iberia’s short or long range, or to choose to be released as a captain on the latter.

Iberia Express is the arm with which Iberia resists commercial pressure from Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz, Transavia and Jet2, the low-cost airlines. The company needs its plan to be voted on and receive a majority at the pilot meetings of its two companies. Otherwise, you will have to put it back in the freezer. The starting position of the Sepla union section in Iberia is that the new scenario will provide opportunities for many workers in the coming years.

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