Iberia’s corporate director, Juan Cierco, within the framework of the conferences organized by Turespaña, has assured that the outlook is “very, very negative.” “Being optimistic is free, but the data does not invite it,” he insisted.
“We are going through the worst crisis in the history of aviation, which is going to extend throughout 2021 and whose recovery will not be until 2024 or 2025,” he predicts, after having announced that one of the reasons for buying Air Europa is boost routes from Spain to Asia, which would affect the current quota of intercontinental flights to America, although the airline’s spokesman says it would even increase.
Cierco defends that the acquisition of Air Europa “is essential for the recovery of our economy”, which is why he has demanded changes to the Government’s conditions for the public rescue of the Globalia airline. while also waiting for authorization from Brussels,
For the Iberia executive, this operation “is the only way for Spain to have a 360º vision” to attract “passengers from emerging countries on the Asian continent”, so that if the operation is completed, Iberia will have a long-haul fleet “similar to KLM’s,” he details.
Iberia meanwhile extended its temporary employment regulation file (ERTE) until May 31, thus taking advantage of the extension decreed by the Spanish Government. The number of people included will vary from month to month depending on the capacity programmed by the airline (Iberia extends its ERTE until January 31 and will be voluntary).
Iberia also extended the validity of the vouchers delivered to customers who accepted this option instead of refunding the money. In a statement sent to travel agencies, the airline reported that those that expire on June 31 “can be used to fly until September 30, 2021” (Iberia opens all refunds for 2020 via GDS).
The reservation must be made before June 30, and all flights must be made, at the latest, on September 30, 2021, adds the airline, which reminds the agencies that the amount of the same can be consulted through its page web, existing the option to unify them in case there are several.
In statements made at the end of November, the president and CEO of Iberia, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, revealed that of the tens of thousands of travelers affected by the cancellations caused by the pandemic, approximately 40% accepted the vouchers, 25% opted for the date change and the rest requested their money (Iberia: “Most of the refunds are resolved”).
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