Article from BTNews 9 JANUARY 2017
IAG in low-cost move
A new low-cost transatlantic carrier based in Barcelona is under consideration by the International Airlines Group (IAG) to counter competition from rivals like Norwegian.
IAG, which owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, said in a statement: “International Airlines Group plans to set up a next-generation long-haul operation in Barcelona from June 2017.
“Barcelona has become a significant airport hub and we believe that there is a demand for these flights from El Prat. It is also Vueling’s base and we will be able to hub passengers from Vueling’s extensive European network on to these long-haul flights.”
The statement, which stressed that no final decision had yet been made, said destinations being considered include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Havana and Tokyo.
Significantly, the man who is now CEO at BA, Alex Cruz, was previously in charge at Vueling, leading some observers to speculate whether he might the replicate the new services at Gatwick.
BA has already announced plans for flights to Oakland in California and Fort Lauderdale in a move seen as a reaction to the success of Norwegian, which plans to increase its transatlantic flights from the UK by 55% this summer (see story this issue).
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