Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas) has announced Managua as a new long-haul destination as part of route network expansion plans unveiled in a press release issued on October 18.

Starting October 2018, Iberia plans to serve the Nicaraguan capital three times weekly using A330-200 equipment operating triangle services from Madrid via Guatemala City and Managua back to Madrid.

The new route is Managua's first scheduled intercontinental service and will continue to be complemented by Iberia's existing codeshare arrangements with Avianca (Bogotá).

Iberia has also announced plans to launch a three times weekly seasonal Madrid-San Francisco service in April 2018 and to increase capacity on routes from Madrid to both Tokyo Narita and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion. The IAG International Airlines Group says it is able to expand its long haul network again given its Plan de Futuro restructuring plan is working, now allowing it to compete "in what were once unprofitable markets".