The FINANCIAL — Iberia is strengthening its presence in Guatemala and Panama. Today, May 5th, it is launching a fourth weekly flight from Madrid to the capital cities of the two Central American nations.

The flights depart from Madrid at 12:30 h. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Timetables facilitate connections with another 34 Spanish cities, Iberia’s 41 European destinations, and 10 cities in Africa and the Middle East.

The aircraft used on the route will be Airbus A-340s, both the 260-seat 300 and the 352-seat 600 model, equipped with Iberia’s lavish Business Plus class, with more room, more comfort, and a gourmet meal service deigned by the renowned chef Sergi Arola, Business Plus passengers also get free VIP parking at the airports of Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia for seven days, special check-in facilities, and use of the fully equipped Velázquez VIP lounge at Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas, among many other advantages.

The fourth weekly flight was added to meet demand which has grown steadily since the route was launched in October 2004.

Leader in Central America

This fourth flight to Guatemala and Panama strengthens Iberia’s leadership position in the Central American market, which it has served uninterruptedly since 1971.

Iberia also operates direct daily flights to Costa Rica, and connections to El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua under code sharing with local airlines.

In 2007, Iberia carried 253,000 passengers to Central America, with an average cabin occupancy rate of 89.5%. In 2008, it expects to carry some 315,000 people, which would represent an 11% increase.

Source: http://finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11940&Itemid=4