LEVEL, the long-haul airline of the IAG group in Barcelona, has obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), marking a key milestone in its trajectory.
This achievement allows the company to transition from being a commercial brand to operating autonomously as an independent airline, which, according to the company, will provide greater flexibility to meet its strategic objectives. Until now, LEVEL operated under Iberia’s AOC.
With this step, LEVEL gains its own identity within IAG, joining the operational model of the other airlines in the group, such as Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, and Aer Lingus. The AOC, they claim, also has a direct and indirect economic impact on Catalonia, highlighting job creation both in offices and in the crew.
According to the company, the process of obtaining the AOC included doubling its office staff, forming a new Operations team, and integrating technical and cabin crews. Additionally, LEVEL confirmed that the certification obtained complies with the safety standards set by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) and that the airline’s operations are financially sustainable, supported by the operating license granted by the same body.
Expansion plan and new operational codes
With the AOC, LEVEL will be able to operate under its own IATA code, “LL,” and its ICAO designator will be “LVL”. Additionally, it will use the call sign “Dalí” in honor of Catalan culture. According to the company, this change will not affect passengers beyond the codes on tickets.
LEVEL’s expansion plan includes continuing to strengthen its long-haul operations from Barcelona, with direct flights to destinations in America, such as New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, and Santiago de Chile. The company also plans to increase its fleet with a seventh aircraft in the coming weeks and to reach a total of eight Airbus A330-200s by 2026.
Rafael Jiménez Hoyos, CEO of LEVEL, stated that “today is a historic day for LEVEL. Obtaining our Air Operator Certificate is a fundamental step for our airline, which will contribute to carrying out our growth and expansion plan, while also creating a legacy and know-how of long-haul operations in Barcelona.”
With the AOC in hand, the airline moves forward in its consolidation as a key player in intercontinental connectivity from Catalonia, facing new challenges and opportunities in this stage as an autonomous airline.
