Iberia Maintenance has received approval from the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA) to perform full base maintenance on Airbus A350 aircraft at its Madrid facility. The airline's first A350 for maintenance arrives on September 26, representing a key milestone in its maintenance operations. According to Natalia Martínez del Río, Iberia's airframe services director, the airline is enthusiastic about expanding its capabilities, though acknowledging the complexities associated with working on a new generation aircraft.
The Madrid MRO currently services several Airbus models, including the A319, A320, A321ceo, A320neo, A321neo, A321XLR, and A330 families, conducting over 120 checks annually. The approval process took two years and involved a successful audit without findings, supported by an €8 million investment. This allows Iberia to conduct all types of maintenance checks on the A350 without limitations.
The inaugural A350 check will be a C-Check, lasting approximately 15 days, with additional inspections to ensure aircraft safety and compliance. Iberia plans to gradually increase its maintenance capacity for the model, similar to its existing procedures for other aircraft types. The airline operates 23 Airbus A350-900s, with eight additional aircraft on order, and has been flying the type since 2017.
Martínez del Río emphasized that this development enhances operational flexibility and aircraft availability, which are vital for fleet expansion and maintenance planning. She considers the certification a landmark achievement that will support Iberia's growth and operational excellence in the future.
