Flag carrier of Spain; 1927–present; Madrid-based international network
The pope’s Iberia charter has been grounded by a maintenance issue while returning from Spain. King Felipe VI personally escorts Pope Leo XIV to a different plane on the Canary Islands airstrip; the pope’s trip to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands continues to draw attention to migration and religious outreach.
Aer Lingus has announced a transformation plan to cut costs and 6% of capacity, targeting a 12-15% operating margin as fuel costs and macro challenges weigh on earnings. The carrier will cut 290 head office jobs plus 70 pilot and 140 cabin roles, removing several unprofitable routes, with more changes expected through 2027.
Meliá has announced it is withdrawing from Cuba, effective Friday, citing significant operational, legal, economic and financial difficulties amid new US sanctions. The move follows sanctions targeting Cuba’s tourism ministry and GAESA, intensifying a pre-existing crisis in the island’s tourism sector.
WestJet flight attendants have walked off the job over pay for duties performed while the plane is on the ground. CUPE 8125 says some ground work is unpaid, while WestJet argues credit-hour compensation covers pre- and post-flight duties. A 72-hour strike notice has expired and negotiations continue as thousands are affected during a long Canadian weekend.
Wizz Air has posted an operating loss of 183 million euros for April–June, reversing a year-earlier profit as jet-fuel prices surge with Brent crude above $120. The carrier says market prices are up about 87% and is reallocating capacity from Middle East routes to Europe while expanding passenger traffic to 21.2 million.
A string of flights and museums are offering high-altitude views of the August 12 solar eclipse. From Iberia's special Madrid flight to a Paris-Le Bourget exhibit and a NASA-backed eclipse mission, observers are chasing the sun’s shadow with aircraft that push observation beyond clouds and data limits.