Iberia, Iberia Express and pilots’ union Sepla have reached an open-ended labour and operational agreement that adds eight aircraft to the group’s fleet between 2028 and 2030, alongside 240 direct jobs and 105 captain promotions. Tied to Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030, the deal supports fleet and staffing growth centred on the Madrid hub and the short- and medium-haul network.
The agreement provides for 80 new pilots and 160 cabin crew positions, while also creating promotion pathways across both airlines. Reports indicate the additional aircraft are a supplement to the fleet already planned under Flight Plan 2030 rather than a separate order.
Several accounts place six of the aircraft with Iberia Express and two with Iberia, although the overall figure of eight additional aircraft is the clearest element across the available coverage. The pact gives the group long-term operational stability at a time when it is balancing fleet planning, pilot seniority and cabin crew expansion in Spain’s domestic and European market.