Iberojet expands unique transatlantic routes
Spanish airline Iberojet is building a hybrid long-haul network focused on underserved destinations in Latin America and Asia.
Spanish airline Iberojet is quietly expanding a unique transatlantic network. The carrier, part of the Avoris Group, operates a hybrid model of scheduled flights, vacation charters, and limited ACMI services, according to an interview with Accountable Manager Alberto López published by AeroTime.
Iberojet was created in 2020 when tour operator Avoris merged its Spanish and Portuguese charter airlines, Evelop and Orbest. The merger was followed by a strategic move into scheduled flights. López stated the current business is approximately 70% scheduled and charter operations, with the remaining 30% from ACMI work. The airline operates under both Spanish and Portuguese Air Operator Certificates.
Iberojet's fleet and operations
As of August 2026, Iberojet's fleet consists of seven Airbus aircraft. The single narrowbody is used for seasonal European and North African routes. The widebody fleet forms the backbone of its long-haul business to destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A350-900 | 2 | Long-haul routes over 12 hours, high-efficiency airports |
| Airbus A330-900neo | 2 | Versatile long-haul workhorse |
| Airbus A330-300 | 1 | Long-haul operations |
| Airbus A320 | 1 | Seasonal European/North African flights |
The A320 features a single-class cabin with 180 seats. One of the A330-900neo aircraft is equipped with an 18-seat business class cabin, which López said has been successful and generated ACMI requests. The airline has a project for summer 2027 to add a similar business class configuration to two more aircraft.
Targeting underserved markets
The growth of Iberojet's scheduled business began after the COVID-19 pandemic. López said the airline identified an opportunity in reconnecting migratory flows between Europe and Central and South America that had been stagnant. This created a base of ethnic traffic distinct from its traditional vacation passengers.
Iberojet has launched nonstop services to Honduras, Costa Rica, and, from September 2026, El Salvador. López emphasized the airline avoids direct competition with larger Spanish carriers Iberia and Air Europa by serving different airports. For example, in Honduras, it uses Palmerola International Airport instead of the San Pedro Sula airport used by its rivals. The airline also operates a non-competitive route between Madrid and Bangkok.
Commercial challenges and strategy
As a newcomer to scheduled flights, Iberojet faces the challenge of shifting its distribution model. López explained the airline is trying to drive more direct sales through its own website, moving beyond a reliance on travel agencies designed for tour operations. He described the vacation charter market as highly price-competitive, but stated Iberojet tries to offer the maximum service possible at a given fare. "It is fairly basic, so to speak, but it's not a bare-bones service where you need to pay for everything extra you add," López said.
Fleet strategy and aircraft selection
López detailed the rationale behind operating both the Airbus A350 and A330neo. For about 80% of its network, covering flights up to 11 hours, the A330neo is the preferred choice due to its versatility and lower operating costs. However, for longer routes east to Asia or to challenging high-elevation airports in South America, the A350's performance is necessary.
The airline intends to maintain a minimum of seven long-haul aircraft and is actively searching for two more A330s. López cited market congestion and high demand for the preferred Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines as factors complicating the acquisition timeline. The goal is to achieve maximum commonality across the long-haul fleet for interchangeability.
