Pilotcenter.net News: LEVEL, the affordable long-haul brand under the umbrella of International Airlines Group (IAG), is set to take flight with its very own air operator’s certificate (AOC) starting in 2025. As a distinct legal entity equipped with its own two-letter flight prefix code, the carrier is gearing up for major fleet expansion, with a seventh Airbus A330-200 expected to be integrated into its current fleet in the coming weeks.

The journey towards obtaining a unique AOC for LEVEL commenced back in 2023, as IAG aimed to establish the airline as an autonomous entity with independent accounting, operational, and legal procedures. Originally launched in 2017, LEVEL had been functioning as a subsidiary of Iberia, Spain’s prominent national carrier and a vital part of IAG, alongside British Airways. IAG also oversees other airlines such as Irish carrier Aer Lingus and low-cost airline Vueling.

Recently appointed CEO of LEVEL, Rafael Jiménez Hoyos, emphasized the importance of the carrier securing its own AOC, stating that this development will empower LEVEL to pursue its strategic goals with greater flexibility. Moving forward, the airline is committed to sustaining its reputation as an efficient, innovative, and passenger-focused carrier, aiming to connect Barcelona with global destinations seamlessly.

Currently, LEVEL operates a fleet of six Airbus A330-200 aircraft configured with both economy and premium economy seating, accommodating between 275 and 311 passengers. With the imminent addition of a seventh aircraft, the carrier anticipates welcoming its eighth aircraft by 2026. The independent AOC will enable LEVEL to initiate final preparations for operating autonomously from Iberia, including establishing its independent crewing and flight operations departments. This transformative process is projected to be completed by 2025, culminating in the adoption of the IATA-assigned ‘LL’ two-letter code and ICAO code ‘LVL’, along with the ‘Dali’ callsign for all flights.

While expanding its fleet, LEVEL has not unveiled any significant plans to extend its current route network but remains focused on enhancing its existing services from its hub at Barcelona-El Prat Airport to destinations such as Boston, Buenos Aires, Miami, New York-JFK, Santiago de Chile, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The carrier has experienced substantial growth, with passenger numbers increasing by 25.2% in September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, achieving an impressive load factor of 95.3%.

In addition to its operations as a low-cost long-haul carrier, IAG previously owned the Austrian-based subsidiary LEVEL Europe, which operated between July 2018 and March 2020 before facing insolvency. The short-lived airline, which operated short-haul flights within Europe using a fleet of A320s and A321s, was discontinued due to economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on European air travel. Despite this setback, LEVEL is poised for continued success as it ventures into this new phase of independent operations and growth.