Iberia: a new hammer can crack an old nut, but sometimes the new ones taste better

Following Luis Gallego's promotion in Mar-2013 from CEO of Iberia Express to be CEO of Iberia, changes to Iberia's management structure had been anticipated. On 10-May-2012, Iberia announced changes aimed at better implementing its Transformation Plan and restoring competitiveness and profitability to the carrier. While it is often worth taking a new hammer to crack an old nut, IAG has simultaneously been squirreling away some tastier new ones.

Based on comments at CAPA's Airlines in Transition conference by Willie Walsh, CEO of Iberia's parent IAG, that Iberia Express has ex fuel unit costs 40% lower than Iberia's, we estimate that its CASK is similar to those of easyJet and Vueling. Mr Walsh also said that it is better to restructure what you have than to start something new. However, given fierce resistance to change at Iberia, he has given himself a good deal more leverage by establishing Iberia Express and also by taking over Vueling. Iberia Express has even helped the group to grow its passenger share in Madrid this year.