IAG has formally notified the EC of its plans to acquire Air Europa and pledged to propose remedies it hopes will allow for quick approval of the deal in 2024.
After being denied in its quest to form a joint venture with LATAM Airlines Group and American Airlines – and then seeing rival Delta Air Lines take a stake in LATAM – International Airlines Group is strengthening its position on transatlantic services to South America with the acquisition of Air Europa. Routesonline looks at the current state of play on Europe – Latin America routes.
Iberia owner International Airlines Group has agreed to pay €1bn for Spanish airline Air Europa as it seeks to make Madrid a hub that will challenge rivals such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt and London Heathrow.
SkyTeam partners Air France-KLM and Air Europa are hoping that a planned joint venture agreement on flights between Europe and Central and South America will help to unlock new routes and direct flights between the two continents.
The Spanish carrier is due to start service to Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in April 2017. This route will be the nineteenth link to the Americas served by the airline.