"The new Airbus planes?They will be the low-cost breakthrough in long-haul flights'

There are three priorities we are focusing on: the first is to have solid financial results to enable us to continue investing. Added to this is operational excellence, that is, punctuality and regularity of flights. Another priority, to build a leading hub in Madrid that can compete with airports such as Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Finally, to give the aircraft maintenance business here at La Muñoza a future to grow.

You said that the A321XLR represents a paradigm shift in air transport, a game changer. In what sense?  

Until now, only widebody aircraft, such as the A350 and A330, could cross the Atlantic. The A321XLR is the first single-aisle aircraft that can do this with a configuration and comfort similar to long-haul aircraft. For us this means offering a high level of service, but with costs about 45 per cent lower than large aircraft and with the lowest unit cost per seat in its class. We will have the possibility of introducing more frequencies on the same route as well as opening up new ones that until now were unprofitable when operated with widebody aircraft. Our first destination starting tomorrow (today for those reading this) is the Madrid-Boston connection, and with the arrival of the second aircraft at the beginning of next year, the Madrid-Washington DC route, a destination we used to only cover in the summer, whereas today we can operate it all year round.

Does this mean that widebodies could be replaced by the A321XLR?

No, but we will be able to do more frequencies and above all open new routes within the 7,500-kilometre radius that our chosen configuration allows, with 182 seats of which 14 are business class. We had a long discussion about which configuration would be best. Only time will tell if we have chosen the right one, but the initial feedback is positive.

The new aircraft you have ordered will be used on new routes?

Yes of course, but on which routes we will decide with the definition of the next flight plan 2030. Iberia has ordered eight that should arrive by 2026. Another six XLRs will be added to the Air Lingus fleet, making a total of 14 aircraft for the IAG group.