This week, Iberia took delivery of a new Airbus A350-900, registered as EC-NMZ. The aircraft, named «Volando», is the third of its type to join the Spanish airline’s fleet in the last month. In the same period, the airline also took delivery of three new Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The gradual recovery of operations and occupancy rates, in addition to the good outlook for the upcoming summer season, favour the company’s schedule of new aircraft deliveries for its fleet. Iberia expects to recover close to 85% of its normal pre-pandemic operating capacity by the middle of this year.
The new aircraft is the last one to offer the company’s current cabin configuration for the A350 fleet. The remaining eight expected to be added by 2024 will include new Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
The orders are part of the company’s long-range fleet renewal process. At the end of 2020, Iberia permanently retired its Airbus A340-600s and thus deprogrammed its last four-engine aircraft. With the A350, the carrier gains in efficiency: in addition to being one of the quietest aircraft on the market, it is more fuel efficient and emits between 30% and 35% less carbon dioxide.
Currently, Iberia’s long-range fleet also consists of Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft. In 2019, the airline placed an order for eight Airbus A321XLRs, which will be added to operations on transcontinental routes. The first delivery is scheduled for the end of 2023.
