Trade publication Ladevi reported on 4 December that Iberia has scrubbed at least seven wide-body services between Spain and Latin America since 1 December, citing unspecified ‘operational issues’. The cancellations include the flagship Madrid–Buenos Aires rotation (IB101/102) and multiple Santiago-de-Chile–Barcelona flights operated by sister carrier LEVEL. Airport operator Aena told journalists that infrastructure at Barajas and El Prat is functioning normally, placing responsibility squarely on the airline.
![Iberia cancels seven long-haul flights to Latin America in 48 hours, affecting 2,000 passengers]()
Industry sources estimate more than 2,000 passengers have been re-accommodated—some housed overnight at Madrid hotels—and warn that further disruptions cannot be ruled out as Iberia juggles aircraft undergoing heavy maintenance ahead of the Christmas peak. Under EU261/2004 rules, affected travellers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 plus care and rerouting. Corporate travel desks should proactively check PNRs for flights IB100-199 and LEVEL’s IB26xx series through 7 December and secure alternative inventory on Air Europa, LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas where seat availability remains.
The episode comes amid wider capacity volatility: Ryanair has already cut its Spanish winter schedule by 16 % over a fee dispute with Aena, and Azul Handling staff servicing Ryanair continue partial strikes at 12 airports. Mobility managers with transferees to Chile or Argentina should therefore monitor NOTAMs and airline-ops bulletins daily and remind travellers to keep Schengen re-entry ‘90/180-day’ counters in mind when rerouted via third countries.
Industry sources estimate more than 2,000 passengers have been re-accommodated—some housed overnight at Madrid hotels—and warn that further disruptions cannot be ruled out as Iberia juggles aircraft undergoing heavy maintenance ahead of the Christmas peak. Under EU261/2004 rules, affected travellers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 plus care and rerouting. Corporate travel desks should proactively check PNRs for flights IB100-199 and LEVEL’s IB26xx series through 7 December and secure alternative inventory on Air Europa, LATAM or Aerolíneas Argentinas where seat availability remains.
The episode comes amid wider capacity volatility: Ryanair has already cut its Spanish winter schedule by 16 % over a fee dispute with Aena, and Azul Handling staff servicing Ryanair continue partial strikes at 12 airports. Mobility managers with transferees to Chile or Argentina should therefore monitor NOTAMs and airline-ops bulletins daily and remind travellers to keep Schengen re-entry ‘90/180-day’ counters in mind when rerouted via third countries.
