Iberia is to standardise on Airbus Industrie aircraft for its short haul fleet, following a decision to place orders for up 76 A320 family aircraft. The airline is to add 16 additional Boeing 757s for its short term needs, however.
The Spanish flag carrier has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 50 firm orders and 26 options, including up to nine A319s, 36 A320s and 31 A321s. The deal, worth Ptas400,000 million ($2.7 billion), is the largest single transaction ever concluded by Airbus Industrie with a European carrier. Deliveries will begin in 1998 with two aircraft (both A320s), followed by ten in 1999, 15 in 2000, 15 in 2001, 12 in 2002 and 22 through to 2004.
The Spanish flag carrier is already a major Airbus client, having introduced the A300B4 in 1981 and since then ordering A320s and A340s. An order for 14 A321s was placed in 1990, but this contract was cancelled during 1997 as Iberia restructured its fleet plans. The airline has some 22 A320s in service, powered by CFM International CFM56-5s, but has not yet finalised the engine selection for the newly ordered aircraft.
Despite its massive new commitment to Airbus, Iberia has still decided to increase its Boeing 757 fleet, with the reconfirmation of eight existing orders, plus the addition of orders for eight more aircraft for delivery over the next two years. These will be delivered on five year operating leases, and will replace eight 757s delivered to Iberia in 1993/4, and due to be returned to lessors this year. Iberia plans to remove the Boeing type entirely from its fleet by 2004.
The new Airbus narrowbodies will replace the 28 Boeing 727-200s and six A300B4s in Iberia's fleet, while the 26 McDonnell Douglas (MDC) DC-9-30s, most of which are operated by Iberia's domestic subsidiary, Aviaco, will also be phased out. The additional Airbuses will also enable Iberia's fleet of 24 109-seat MDC MD-87s to be transferred to Aviaco which already flies the longer MD-88.
Next on Iberia's agenda is the renewal of its long haul fleet, with the A340-500/600, Boeing 747 and 777 being evaluated to replace its seven Boeing 747-200s and four McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s.
nIberia's economic recovery is underlined by its 1997 financial results, with pre tax profit doubling to Ptas14,361 million. Passenger numbers rose by around 5.5%, while sales grew by almost 10%.
Source: Flight International
