Iberia today unveiled its new strategic plan, Flight Plan 2030, outlining the airline’s growth strategy for the coming years. The plan sets a target of achieving annual profitability between 13.5% and 15%, which will enable a total investment of €6 billion over its duration. This will translate, among other things, into a significant fleet increase.
President and CEO Marco Sansavini explained that “Thanks to Iberia’s profound transformation over the last decade and the efforts of all our people, we are now delivering results that allow us to look to the future with confidence and invest €6 billion in our Flight Plan 2030. We want to grow from the current 45 long-haul aircraft to 70 to position Barajas as a major European hub and enhance Spain’s global connectivity.”
Fleet Growth
As part of its 2030 Flight Plan, Iberia aims to expand its long-haul fleet from 45 to approximately 70 aircraft. This growth will be driven by the incorporation of new Airbus A350s, A321XLRs, and potentially A330NEOs, drawn from the recently announced IAG group order, which will be allocated across its member airlines.
In parallel, Iberia will undertake a comprehensive renewal of its short- and medium-haul fleet. Nearly all older-generation aircraft will be replaced with more efficient and less polluting A320 and A321 NEOs, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
New Destinations: Toronto, Philadelphia, and Monterrey
The planned fleet expansion under the Flight Plan 2030 will significantly enhance Iberia’s network, enabling the launch of new routes and increased frequencies to existing destinations.
Among the upcoming additions are Toronto (Canada), Philadelphia (USA), and Monterrey (Mexico), which join the recently announced routes to Recife and Fortaleza (Brazil), as well as Orlando (USA). Iberia will also continue exploring new opportunities, particularly across the Atlantic.
Improved Customer Experience and New Premium Lounge at Terminal 4
Offering better customer service is one of the priorities of the Flight Plan 2030. Iberia will work to improve the entire experience. Significant investments are planned in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, digitalisation, and personalisation.
All long-haul cabins will also be renovated to make them more comfortable, more attractive, and offer improved connectivity. On narrow-body aircraft, carry-on baggage capacity will also be increased thanks to the addition of XL luggage compartments.
On the ground, Iberia is also upgrading its premium services. A new Premium Lounge is already in development at Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas Airport, offering more space and elevated comfort for premium travellers.
Iberia City in La Muñoza
The Flight Plan 2030 calls for the development of Ciudad Iberia in La Muñoza, which will entail an expansion of the current facilities. The airline’s corporate headquarters will be relocated there.
Ciudad Iberia will be defined by its strong focus on technology and innovation. The goal is to transform this large complex, located next to Madrid-Barajas Airport, into a cutting-edge aeronautical hub—one of the most advanced and important in Europe.
1,000 New Hires Every Year
The expansion of Iberia’s operations and the development of Ciudad Iberia will require a significant increase in staffing. «We expect to hire an average of 1,000 new employees per year throughout the duration of the 2030 Flight Plan. This will multiply the opportunities for professional improvement and development for everyone in the airline,» says Sansavini.
According to calculations by PwC, by 2033 Iberia will contribute €19 billion annually to Spain’s GDP and support 250,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs—a 42% increase in economic and employment impact compared to current levels. (In 2024, Iberia’s contribution was estimated at €13.86 billion and 160,271 jobs.).
Iberia Foundation
Iberia aims to create wealth and employment not only in Spain but in all the destinations it serves, contributing more to society every day. To reinforce this commitment, and in celebration of its centenary in 2027, the airline will launch the Iberia Foundation, aimed at maximising its positive social impact.
