Spanish national flag carrier Iberia is now flying up to 70% of its pre-crisis destinations following a resumption of flights between Spain and Morocco. In a press release issued last week seen by Simple Flying, the International Airlines Group-owned carrier said that starting this month, its regional airline subsidiary Air Nostrum would resume its three weekly flights between Madrid and Casablanca. Starting this week, Air Nostrum will fly from Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The flight departure times on the three times weekly service will remain the same. Flights from Madrid will depart at 11:25 and arrive in Casablanca at 13:15. The return leg back to Madrid will depart Casablanca at 13:45 and arrive back in the Spanish capital at 15:35. The time schedule of the flights is to allow passengers from Casablanca to connect with afternoon flights within Europe and Iberia's nighttime flights to South America.
In December, Iberia will fly to 75 destinations
Starting this month, Iberia plans little by little to get its pre-COVID-19 flights back to near-normal levels while at the same time ensuring strict hygiene and protocol measures are followed to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.
In total Iberia will offer flights to more than 75 destinations in 30 countries in Europe, America, and Africa. This level of activity represents around 70% of pre-COVID-19 activity. Further boosting Iberia's Latin America flights, the oneworld alliance member has increased the number of flights to key European cities such as Paris, Brussels, Rome, Milan, Geneva, and London to allow passengers to connect on Iberia's long-haul routes.
Iberia is focused on Latin America
Iberia's emphasis is once more focused on flights between Spain and Latin America, with the airline designing a special December program that allows it to offer 20 destinations in the US and Latin America and up to 80 weekly frequencies. Also, as the number of coronavirus cases in Spain continues to fall, Iberia is upping its flights to Barcelona, Bilbao, A Coruña, and Valencia. December will also see an increase in the number of flights to the Canary Islands for Spaniards looking for a break from the cold winter weather on the mainland.
Iberia has a new Mediterranean inspired menu
In other Iberia related news, the Spanish full-service carrier is restoring its meal service on all long and medium-haul flights. The companies catering provider DO&CO has come up with a Mediterranean diet inspired menu that uses locally sourced and seasonal products where possible. The new food offerings will also be presented with Iberia's new tableware and linen.
Coinciding with Iberia's new food offerings is the reopening of the Dali lounge at the airline's main hub at Madrid Airport's Terminal 4. Passengers using the lounge will notice the enhanced cleaning and disinfection put in place to ensure health safety.
Iberia certainly seems to be trying to return to its pre-COVID-19 flight schedule as quickly as possible and is right to promote and focus on its routes to Latin and South America.
Do you think that Iberia is moving too fast to get its flights back up and running, or do you think more airlines should follow the Spanish airline's lead? Please tell us what you think in the comments.