The Spanish airline was the first to link Europe and Latin America after the 2nd World War
In 2005, Iberia carried more than 380,000 passengers between Madrid and Buenos Aires, a 13% increase from the previous year
This year Iberia will mark the 60th anniversary of its first flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires. On September 22nd, 1946, an Iberia 44-seat Douglas DC4 took off from Madrid92s Barajas Airport, bound for the Argentine capital. Some 36 hours later, after stopping in Villa Cisneros in the Western Sahara and the Brazilian cities of Natal and Rio de Janeiro, it landed at Morón Airport in Buenos Aires on September 25th, 1946. On October 15th of that year, the airline began regular flights between the two capital cities every 10 days, but it was so successful that Iberia soon made it a weekly service.
The Madrid-Buenos Aires flight was a milestone in the history of Iberia and of Spanish civil aviation. It was the company92s first transatlantic flight, and it made Iberia the first airline to link Europe and Latin America after the Second World War. The complexity and duration of the flight necessitated the services of a navigator, and of Iberia92s first female cabin attendants.
Sixty years later, Iberia operates two daily flights between Madrid and the World tango capital with 352-seat A340/600s. In 2005 Iberia carried more than 380,000 passengers on this route, a 13% increase from the previous year. The load factor was 84.4%
From the new terminal T4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport, from which Iberia will operate all its flights as of today, the airline offers even better connections to the Americas from 34 cities in Spain, 37 airports elsewhere in Europe, and 9 cities in Africa and the Middle East. The new terminals and runways double the capacity of Madrid-Barajas Airport. Iberia boasts three VIP lounges in T4 for its business class passengers, with communications facilities, conference rooms, showers, a bar, and other conveniences which will make travel an even more enjoyable experience for Iberia customers.
Iberia today is Spain92s leading airline and also market leader on Europe-Latin America routes. With revenues of 4.80 billion euros, net earnings of 220 million euros and EBITDAR margin of 16 per cent in 2004, Iberia is one of Europe92s most profitable scheduled airline. At the same time it is distinguished by its social, economic, and environmental policies. Iberia92s commitment to the integration of disabled people in the workplace has made it one of the three companies best perceived for its social policies in 2003, and number one in employee cooperation programmes, according to the independent Enterprise and Society Foundation. Together with its franchise partner Iberia Regional, Iberia completes about 1,000 flights each day to about 100 destinations. In 2004 Iberia carried 30.5 million passengers. It is a member of the oneworld airline alliance along with Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN and Qantas.
For further information: Iberia
International Press Office
Tel.: +34 91 587 7732 / 7462 / 7465
Fax: +34 91 587 7469
E-mail: prensaintl@iberia.es
