Iberojet expands scheduled flights to El Salvador from 2026
Spanish airline Iberojet is adding El Salvador to its transatlantic network from September 2026, operating from both Barcelona and Madrid.
Iberojet will launch nonstop flights to El Salvador (SAL) from Barcelona (BCN) and Madrid (MAD) in September 2026. The Spanish carrier, created in 2020 from the merger of charter airlines Evelop and Orbest, is using a hybrid model of scheduled and charter flights to build a unique long-haul network.
Accountable Manager Alberto López spoke to AeroTime about the strategy. He explained the current business is roughly 70% scheduled and vacation charter operations, with the remaining 30% from ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) leasing. The airline operates under both Spanish and Portuguese Air Operator Certificates from bases in Madrid and Lisbon.
Fleet composition and use
As of August 2026, Iberojet's all-Airbus fleet totals seven aircraft. The single narrowbody is used for seasonal European and North African routes, while the widebodies form the core of its long-haul business.
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A350-900 | 2 | Long-haul scheduled services to Asia and challenging South American airports |
| Airbus A330-900neo | 2 | Versatile long-haul operations |
| Airbus A330-300 | 1 | Long-haul operations |
| Airbus A320 | 1 | Summer European/North Africa routes; winter Spanish senior tourism program |
One A330-900neo is configured with 18 business class seats for scheduled services, which also generates ACMI leasing demand. López said the airline has a project for summer 2027 to add a similar business cabin to two more aircraft. The goal is to maintain a minimum of seven long-haul aircraft, with an active search for two more A330s.
Targeting niche long-haul markets
The growth into scheduled services was driven by post-pandemic migratory flows between Spain and Latin America. Iberojet has launched routes to Honduras and Costa Rica, targeting ethnic traffic and younger European travelers. López stated the airline avoids direct competition with larger Spanish carriers Iberia and Air Europa by serving different airports or operating on different days.
For example, in Honduras it uses Palmerola International Airport (XPL), not the San Pedro Sula (SAP) airport used by its rivals. The airline also operates a non-competitive Madrid to Bangkok route. "We're not their competition," López said. "We don't bother them much."
Operational and commercial challenges
Shifting from a charter-focused distribution model to direct consumer sales is a key challenge. López noted the group's existing networks are designed for tour operations, leaving little margin. The airline is trying to drive sales through its own website and targeted advertising to build visibility in its niche markets.
In the competitive vacation charter market, López said the approach is to offer the maximum possible service for a given price. "It is fairly basic, so to speak, but it's not a bare-bones service where you need to pay for everything extra you add," he explained.
Aircraft selection strategy
The choice between the A350 and A330neo is driven by route specifics. López called the A330-900neo very versatile and economical for about 80% of the network, covering flights up to around 11 hours. However, for longer eastern routes of 13-14 hours to Asia, or for South American airports with high elevation and temperature, the A350 is necessary.
He praised the A350's performance but highlighted engine availability as a constraint for expansion. The airline prefers the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines for their reliability, but López noted these are in high demand, making the timeline for adding the two desired A330s uncertain.
