Spain’s flag carrier Iberia and China Southern Airlines, one of Asia’s largest airlines, have announced that they have signed a new code-share agreement aimed at strengthening global connectivity between China, Europe, and Latin America.
At the core of the agreement is the new Guangzhou–Madrid direct flight route, which will be operated by China Southern.
Connections from China to Europe and Latin America Expand
Under the code-share agreement, Iberia passengers will be able to conveniently connect to major Chinese cities via Guangzhou. Travellers from China, on the other hand, will gain broader access through Iberia’s:
- Domestic routes within Spain,
- European destinations,
- Extensive flight network in Latin America.
Mutual Code Addition: IB and CZ on the Same Flights
According to the agreement:
- Iberia will add its own flight code, IB, to China Southern’s Guangzhou–Madrid flights and to connecting destinations within China.
- China Southern’s code, CZ, will be used on most of Iberia’s domestic routes and in many Latin American cities.
This integration aims to provide passengers with a smoother travel experience by merging the network structures of the two airlines.
Three Joint Weekly Flights
The jointly operated flights by Iberia and China Southern will take place three times a week between Madrid and Guangzhou. These flights are expected to increase long-haul connection volume.
Iberia: “Our Role as a Natural Bridge Between Continents Is Strengthening”
María Jesús López Solás, Iberia’s Director of Commercial, Network Development & Alliances, commented on the agreement:
- “This alliance is a decisive step in our international growth strategy. It strengthens Madrid’s position as an intercontinental hub and reinforces Iberia’s role as a natural bridge between Europe, Asia, and Latin America.”
