Relay in the dome of Iberia. The president and CEO of the main Spanish airline, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, has decided to leave the company. The manager, according to sources around him, puts an end to this stage voluntarily to undertake new professional projects outside the aviation sector. His replacement will be Fernando Candela, until now CEO of Level.
Sánchez-Prieto has been linked to IAG for twelve years. Before presiding over Iberia, a position he reached in 2020, he led Vueling and is part of the team responsible for launching Iberia Express. "I take with me a magnificent professional experience and the privilege of having worked with extraordinary professionals who are capable of achieving everything they set their minds to," the aeronautical group said in a statement. This Friday he will participate in his last presentation of results, corresponding to the first quarter of 2023.
IAG offers, in the same statement, a positive view on the acquisition of Air Europa. The company conveys optimism. The operation is in a process of talks with the competition authorities of the European Commission. The company assures that the objective is "to consolidate itself as the leader in the Madrid hub, something to which the Air Europa operation will contribute, which will reinforce its differential positioning".
Fernando Candela will assume the functions of president and CEO of Iberia in July. The manager, explains IAG, will have "among his first challenges" two issues: addressing the repayment of Iberia's debt and continuing with the negotiations to complete the purchase of Air Europa. According to the group, Candela has participated in recent months in the operation that is being piloted directly from London, with the CEO of IAG, Luis Gallego, at the helm.
At this time, the Community Competition authorities are studying what conditions ('remedies') to impose on the operation to guarantee competition, such as the transfer of some routes to its competitors.
Up to now, Candela has been the CEO of Level, the IAG group's low-cost and long-haul airline, since 2019 and director of transformation of IAG since 2020. He was also CEO of Iberia Express for 6 years and, previously, director planning and management control of Air Nostrum. He is a man, therefore, considerate of the house.
"There are many important challenges that await us in the coming months and I am convinced that, thanks to the professionalism shown every day by the Iberia team, we will be able to continue the growth and incessant improvement of the company in each and every one of of their businesses", assured Candela. "There is, of course, no better finishing touch for my professional career than directing Iberia, the leading airline in Spain and one of the most outstanding companies in the country, a true example of efficiency in the international arena. Of course, it will also be a pleasure to meet again and work hand in hand with many former colleagues", he added.
The CEO of IAG has stated about Candela that he is "an extraordinary professional and has been a key player in IAG and in the Iberia Group". "His solvency makes him the best person to lead Iberia in the coming months" and he maintains that "his extensive experience in the world of aviation and transformation will add a lot of value to the company", added Gallego.
