Iberia has handed over cheques worth 119,000 euros to two organisations, the international relief group Mano a Mano (93Hand to Hand94), founded by
the airline92s employees, and APMIB, the association of Iberia employees with disabled children. Contributions collected among employees during the Christmas solidarity campaign amounted to 113,000 euros, well above the 80,000 collected the previous year. The company put up another 6,800 euros to help fund projects being carried out by the two groups.
Both organisations have received a check for 55,153.35 euros and 3,400 euros each. Mano a Mano will spend the money to rebuild of a Guatemalan school destroyed by Hurricane Stan, while the APMIB will spend it in projects at the seven day-care centres where the organisation tend to the needs of 3,000 people.
Mano a Mano, which supplies aid to impoverished regions, especially those hit by natural disasters, is involved in several projects in Guatemala. In addition to the school rebuilding job, the group will provide school supplies to local children.
The Christmas Solidarity Campaign is carried out by means of an online auction on Iberia92s intranet, in which employees bid for products donated by a variety of companies, including Iberia suppliers and advertisers in company media. More than 89,000 euros were collected at this auction. A raffle is also held in which employees can win discontinued duty-free items once sold on Iberia flights, as well as others made by the APMIB itself, and company promotional items.
Iberia today is Spain92s leading airline and also market leader on Europe-Latin America routes. With revenues of 4.80 billion euros, net earnings of 220 million euros and EBITDAR margin of 16 per cent in 2004, Iberia is one of Europe92s most profitable scheduled airline. At the same time it is distinguished by its social, economic, and environmental policies. Iberia92s commitment to the integration of disabled people in the workplace has made it one of the three companies best perceived for its social policies in 2003, and number one in employee cooperation programmes, according to the independent Enterprise and Society Foundation. Together with its franchise partner Iberia Regional, Iberia completes about 1,000 flights each day to about 100 destinations. In 2004 Iberia carried 30.5 million passengers. It is a member of the oneworld airline alliance along with Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LAN and Qantas.
For further information: Iberia
International Press Office
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E-mail: prensaintl@iberia.es