Spain’s Iberia Express freezes growth over pilot union block

Negotiations between Iberia Express (I2, Madrid Barajas) and Spain’s pilots union (Sindicato de Pilotos de España - Sepla) have stalled, forcing parent Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas) to freeze growth at the regional carrier. The parties are negotiating the possibility of relaxing the constraints under which Iberia Express operates by making changes to an annex in their eighth collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that fixes fleet growth to parity with the Iberia mainline. Iberia had aimed to reach a consensus to expand Iberia Express's short-haul fleet, capitalising on current market opportunities. However, since no deal has been reached with union representatives, growth will be put on hold and the next four aircraft designated for Iberia Group will be integrated into the mainline fleet instead of the budget unit, the airline said in a statement on August 19. “The company is open to negotiation and pushing for a deal with the pilots' representatives,” an Iberia Express spokesperson told ch-aviation. Iberia Express is looking for an agreement that would allow it to better compete against other LCCs, such as Ryanair. <br/>