Fernando Candela to Take Over from Javier Sánchez Prieto as President of Iberia

• Candela will lead the airline for the next few months. He has been at Iberia for a long time and will provide continuity and stability

• He was CEO Iberia Express for six years, and CEO of LEVEL since 2019, as well as being IAG’s Director of Transformation since 2020

• Sánchez Prieto will undertake new professional projects in another sector after three years at the head of the airline and twelve at IAG

• Candela will take over the role in July

Iberia today announced that Fernando Candela will replace Javier Sánchez Prieto as President of the airline in July.

Candela will lead Iberia until the end of the year, culminating his long professional career in the Iberia Group.

The arrival of Candela in July will provide continuity and stability to the airline's activity and will allow it to continue with its ambitious development projects.

Candela will lead a solid team of professionals with whom he will continue to implement the transformation plans laid out in Iberia’s Next Chapter, which have helped keep the airline’s focus on its customers and workers.

Together with the Iberia team, Fernando Candela will develop the clearly defined post-pandemic strategy for each of the businesses. For the airline, the aim is to consolidate itself as the leader in the Madrid hub, with the contribution of the Air Europa acquisition, which will reinforce its differential positioning. For the Airports business, the strategy involves maintaining the leadership position of Iberia Handling in Spain. And for the Maintenance business, the aim is to develop a project that will help it become the key repair centre in southern Europe.

A Professional with a Deep Understanding of the Group

Fernando Candela has a long career in the Iberia Group. He has been CEO of LEVEL since 2019 and Director of Transformation of IAG since 2020. He was CEO of Iberia Express for 6 years and, previously, among other roles, Director of Planning and Management Control of Air Nostrum.

With almost thirty years of experience in the aviation sector, Candela is an industrial engineer who graduated from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and has completed various training programmes for executives at institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Instituto de Empresa (IE) and IESE. Throughout his professional life he has also worked at companies such as Uralita and Andersen Consulting.

“There are many important challenges that await us in the coming months and I am certain that, thanks to the professionalism shown every day by Iberia’s team, we will be able to continue growing and constantly improving each and every one of the businesses. There is, of course, no better finishing touch for my professional career than being at the helm of 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. It goes without saying that it will be a pleasure to meet again and work hand in hand with many former colleagues”, says Candela.

Among his first challenges will be to manage Iberia's debt and continue with the negotiations to complete the purchase of Air Europa by IAG, an operation in which Candela has participated in recent months, under the leadership of Luis Gallego.

“Fernando Candela is an extraordinary professional and has been a key player in IAG and in the Iberia Group. His extensive experience in the world of aviation and transformation will add a great deal of value to the airline. He is the best person to lead Iberia in the coming months”, says Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG.

New Projects for Sánchez Prieto

Javier Sánchez Prieto is looking forward to tackling new professional projects outside the aviation sector. In his twelve years at the Group, he has led Iberia and Vueling and has also been part of the management and founding team of Iberia Express.

“It has been an honour for me to be in charge of Iberia. I feel very proud to have been part of the team that has continued with its transformation to make it one of the top airlines in the world. I will remember the fantastic experience and the privilege of having worked with extraordinary professionals who are capable of achieving everything they set their minds to,” says Sánchez Prieto.

Iberia has managed to recover, even earlier than expected, its positions prior to the pandemic in terms both of financial health and demand, operations, and customer service, as well as the development of its Handling and Maintenance businesses.

In addition, in this last year, Iberia has managed to seal agreements with all employee groups, which has made it possible to maintain social wellbeing, focus on the professional development of its workers and work on being the most punctual European airline in 2022, as well as always being among the top airlines in global punctuality rankings.