§ Group traffic in March, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, increased by 2.6 per cent versus March 2016; Group capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres rose by 2.4 per cent.

§ Group premium traffic for the month of March increased by 6.9 per cent compared to the previous year.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

On 17 March, IAG launched LEVEL – a new low cost longhaul airline brand that will start its operation in June 2017 with flights from Barcelona to Los Angeles, San Francisco (Oakland), Buenos Aires and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). LEVEL will fly two new Airbus A330 aircraft fitted with 293 economy and 21 premium economy seats. Initially it will be operated by Iberia’s flight and cabin crew and will create up to 250 jobs in Barcelona.

During March, British Airways introduced its European business-class service (Club Europe) on all its UK domestic flights. The airline also enhanced the catering for all Club Europe services across its short-haul network.

On 29 March, Iberia and Qatar Airways announced a code-share agreement on flights between Madrid and Doha, as well as on 28 Iberia destinations in Spain and Portugal. This agreement will offer passengers more flight options and enhanced connections.