Iberia suspending Madrid-Johannesburg route from April 30

Spain’s flag carrier Iberia recently announced that it will be suspending its Madrid-Johannesburg route from April 30, 2012.

Iberia flights on Madrid-Johannesburg route are being currently operated three-times every week.

The airline in a statement said that rising fuel prices and stubborn economic slump has forced it to curtail its Madrid-Johannesburg route.

The passengers will now offered Iberia flights tickets to Johannesburg via London, which will be operated by the airline under its codeshare agreement with British Airways.

According to Iberia, the cost of aviation fuel has risen by 50 percent in the past two years. This has deeply impacted the airline’s operating costs. The airline further stated that the delay in the economic recovery is also depressing demands in its key domestic and European markets.

Citing these two key factors, Iberia stated that for the time being Madrid-Johannesburg route has become economically unsustainable. In the given circumstances, the airline is ready to change or refund the tickets of all passengers with flights on Madrid-Johannesburg route booked for April 30 or later.