IBERIA RECEIVES NEW AIRBUS A319, NAMED “BUSTARD”. The Avutarda is aimed at raising awareness at all the airline’s destinations of the need to protect endangered species, and of the diversity of Spanish fauna
Madrid –
From the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Iberia has taken delivery of a new, 141-seat A-319, named Avutarda (Bustard), in keeping with the policy instituted this year of publicising Spain’s endangered species.
This campaign is intended to raise awareness at all the destinations reached by the airline of Spain’s biodiversity and some of its unique native species, and to remind customers, employees, and the public at large of the need to protect and preserve them.
This is the eighteenth aircraft received by Iberia in 2007, all in the Airbus A-320 family, and all named for endangered Spanish species –the Iberian Imperial Eagle, the Iberian Lynx, the Brown Bear, the Black Stork, the Capercaillie, the Otter and the Royal Owl.
A picture of the Bustard has been painted on the fuselage of the aircraft bearing its name, and will remain there until the species is removed from the endangered list.
The new aircraft brings to 18 the total of number of Airbus A-319s flown by Iberia. They incorporate all the latest technical advances and are much quieter than other aircraft in their class, while providing better service to customers. This model belongs to the Airbus A-320 family, which includes the A-319, the A-320, and the A-321, of which Iberia has a total of 86 units.
Today, Iberia is Spain’s leading airline and also leader on routes linking Europe with Latin America. It posted an operating income of about 5.4 billion euros, net earnings of 116.1 million euros and an Ebitdar of 790.5 million euros in 2006. It is also distinguished by its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible conduct. Along with its franchise partner Iberia Regional, Iberia operates some 1,000 flights each day to about 100 different destinations. Last year, Iberia carried a total of 33 million passengers. It is a member of the oneworld airline alliance, along with American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, JAL, LAN, Malev, Qantas and Royal Jordanian.
