IAG Announces Leadership Changes at Iberia and Vueling

The International Airlines Group (IAG) disclosed pivotal shifts in its upper echelon, slated for activation in April 2024, with Marco Sansavini ascending to the roles of CEO and Chairman of Iberia. Sansavini transitions from his tenure as CEO of Vueling, heralding a new era for Iberia. Concurrently, Fernando Candela, who served as Iberia’s interim CEO since May 2023, will revert to his permanent position as CEO of Level, continuing his contributions within the IAG conglomerate.

In a corresponding move, Carolina Martinoli is set to inherit the mantle of CEO and Chair of Vueling, transitioning from her substantial role as IAG’s Chief People, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer. These strategic appointments were unveiled alongside IAG’s announcement of its full-year results for 2023 during an analyst presentation in London, underscoring a period of robust performance and strategic recalibration for the group.

IAG CEO Luis Gallego extolled the company’s 2023 achievements, highlighting a significant uptick in operating margin and profits. He attributed the seamless leadership transitions to the depth of talent within IAG’s management committee, emphasizing the group’s strategic agility and commitment to sustained growth and superior margins. Gallego praised the incoming leaders’ prior contributions to IAG’s transformation, expressing confidence in their ability to spearhead future successes. He also commended Fernando Candela for his interim leadership at Iberia, particularly for securing a crucial handling agreement pivotal for the airline’s future.

Marco Sansavini reflected on his tenure at Vueling as profoundly impactful, expressing gratitude to his team and anticipation for his new role at Iberia. He committed to furthering Iberia’s legacy in collaboration with the airline’s dedicated personnel.

Carolina Martinoli shared her enthusiasm for leading Vueling into its next phase, acknowledging the airline’s dynamic legacy and her intent to foster innovation and growth. She thanked Luis Gallego for his mentorship and the IAG team for their support during her previous tenure.

These leadership changes signify IAG’s strategic realignment and its ambition to bolster its Spanish operations amidst the evolving European and Latin American aviation landscapes.