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Iberia Express (I2), Iberia's (IB) new subsidiary for short and medium-haul flights, will start scheduled flights Sunday with four A320s operating from Madrid (MAD) to four destinations in Spain, despite opposition from IB mainline pilots and unions representing cabin crew.

IB pilots so far have staged 12 days of strikes since December protesting the new carrier. They announced a further 24 days of industrial action between March 16 and May 28, but this was called off after they agreed to new talks led by a government-appointed mediator (ATW Daily News, March 14).

The problem with the pilots is not solved, IB CEO Rafael Sanchez-Lozano confirmed to ATW. He declined to comment further, noting the negotiations are under government mediation.

I2's first routes are from Madrid (MAD) to Palma de Majorca, Alicante, Malaga and Seville. The network will gradually expand to 17 destinations this summer. The first international gateways are slated to be Dublin, Naples, Mikonos, Riga and Amsterdam. Other domestic destinations will include Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Granada, Minorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma.

By year end, I2 will operate 14 aircraft, all leased from IB, to over 20 destinations. The new airline is a 100%-subsidiary of IB but managed independently. It will utilize IB's maintenance and other services.

"It has not been an easy project but today is a day of birth and this has to be celebrated," Sanchez-Lozano told a press conference in Madrid Friday, stressing that I2 "will be a success story that adds value to the Iberia Group. It will restore profitability to short- and medium-haul routes, add new destinations and connections, and feed traffic to the long-haul network, where Iberia is focusing its growth strategy."

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Iberia Express set to launch Sunday

BELLEVUE, Wash., March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, unveils 2013 itineraries for the cruise line's second shipthe 90-guest m/v Tere Moanawhich will offer voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

In the tradition of Paul Gauguin Cruises, cruise fares for The Moana are all-inclusive with gratuities, soft drinks, select wines and spirits included. Also, with superior dining options, a luxury spa and a staff of 54 serving just 90 guests, the experience aboard The Moana will be nothing short of first class.

After undergoing a multifaceted renovation to be completed in December 2012, The Moana will set sail under the Paul Gauguin Cruises' banner on December 29, 2012, on a gala seven-night Caribbean voyage with chairman Richard Bailey aboard.

The Moana will sail 13 itineraries in 2013. Like The Gauguin, The Moana will specialize in warm-weather destinations, with an emphasis on delivering unique voyages that larger ships cannot offer and exploring hidden ports throughout these regions. The ship will sail during the summer months in Europe and winter in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Moana's European Itineraries:

Seven-night voyages from Barcelona, Spain, to Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, visit Sete, France; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; Florence (Livorno), Italy; and Elba (Portoferraio), Italy. Departures: April 20 and August 17, 2013, with cruise fares from $3,295 per person.

Seven-night voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, to Venice, Italy, visit Lipari, Italy; Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Italy; Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Hvar, Croatia. Departures: May 11 (Chairman's Cruise) and August 24, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages from Venice, Italy, to Athens (Piraeus), Greece, visit Zadar, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; Delphi (Itea), Greece; Corinth Canal, Greece; and Hydra, Greece. Departures: May 18, July 6, and August 31, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages between Athens (Piraeus), Greece, to Istanbul, Turkey, visit Delos, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; and Canakkale, Turkey. Departures: May 25; June 8; and July 13, 27; and September 7, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Seven-night voyages roundtrip from Istanbul, Turkey, visit Nessebur, Bulgaria; Constanta, Romania; Odessa, Ukraine; Yalta, Ukraine; and Sinop, Turkey, with one day at sea. Departures: June 1; and July 20, 2013, with cruise fares starting from $3,595 per person.

Excerpt from:
Paul Gauguin Cruises Unveils m/v Tere Moana's 2013 Itineraries

(03-23) 08:52 PDT MADRID, Spain (AP) --

Spanish carrier Iberia on Friday unveiled a new low-cost airline, Iberia Express, which aims to claim a stake in the highly competitive no-frills sector of the European market.

The new airline is part of a plan by parent company International Consolidated Airlines Group to increase profitability after the merger of its component parts, British Airways and Iberia.

Iberia Express will initially cover Vigo, Santiago and Granada on Spain's mainland and its island destinations of Menorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma. It will expand internationally to Ireland, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Netherlands, chief executive Luis Gallego said at a press conference.

Inaugural flights will take off Sunday, although the company's website was not up and running Friday afternoon. Prices begin at (EURO)25 ($33) one-way with a surcharge for checking in luggage and booking seats in advance.

The new company employs 500 staff and has a fleet of four Airbus 320 planes, although there are plans to increase this to 14 aircraft by the end of the year.

The airline is the subject of a protracted labor dispute between Iberia and Spain's main pilots' union, Sepla which held 12 days of stoppages in Dec. and Jan.

Sepla pilots argue Iberia Express would mean job losses among the 1,600 pilots who work for the main airline a claim disputed by Iberia.

Sepla had announced nine days of strikes in April and May but called them off following government mediation and has agreed to negotiate further with Iberia.

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Spain's Iberia unveils low cost Iberia Express

Associated Press

MADRID Spanish carrier Iberia on Friday launched a new low-cost airline, Iberia Express, which aims to claim a stake in the highly competitive no-frills sector of the European market.

The new airline is part of a plan by parent company International Consolidated Airlines Group to increase profitability after the merger of its component parts, British Airways and Iberia.

Iberia Express will initially cover Vigo, Santiago and Granada on Spain's mainland and its island destinations of Minorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma. It will expand internationally to Ireland, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Netherlands, chief executive Luis Gallego said at a news conference.

"The containment of costs will allow Iberia Express to grow and compete with the low-cost operators," said Gallego, adding that although the new airline will be managed independently, it will employ Iberia's maintenance and other services.

Inaugural flights will take off Sunday, although the company's website was not up and running Friday afternoon. Prices begin at (euro) 25 ($33) one-way with a surcharge for checking in luggage and booking seats in advance.

The new company employs 500 staff and has a fleet of four Airbus 320 planes, although there are plans to increase this to 14 aircraft by the end of the year and up 40 by 2015.

The airline is the subject of a protracted labor dispute between Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA and Spain's main pilots' union, Sepla which held 12 days of work stoppages in December and January to protest the low-cost airline.

Sepla pilots argue Iberia Express would mean job losses among the 1,600 pilots who work for the main airline a claim disputed by Iberia.

Sepla had announced nine days of strikes in April and May but called them off following government mediation and has agreed to negotiate further with Iberia.

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Spain's Iberia starts low-cost airline

22-03-2012 22:16 Andrew unboxes The Muppets Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy + Soundtrack Download Card. DVDAndrew's Twitter: http://www.twitter.com

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