LEVEL Airlines Gains AOC, Launches Unique Code by 2025
LEVEL Airlines Secures New AOC, Set to Launch as Independent Carrier in 2025
LEVEL, the budget long-haul airline under International Airlines Group (IAG), has taken a significant step forward by securing its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). This strategic move allows LEVEL to operate as a separate legal entity, set to launch its independent flights with a unique two-letter flight prefix code in 2025. With plans underway to expand its fleet, including the addition of a seventh Airbus A330-200, LEVEL is positioning itself for a robust future in the competitive airline industry.
LEVEL’s Transition to Independent Operations
The journey toward obtaining a separate AOC for LEVEL started in 2023, as IAG aimed to streamline the airline’s operations, accounting, and legal processes. Established in 2017, LEVEL has been functioning as a subsidiary of Iberia, Spain’s national airline and a pivotal member of IAG, which also includes British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Vueling.
Strategic Objectives and Leadership
Rafael Jiménez Hoyos, who became CEO of LEVEL in October 2024, emphasized the importance of this milestone. He stated, "Securing our own AOC provides LEVEL with greater agility to achieve its strategic objectives." He further noted that this new chapter is dedicated to enhancing LEVEL’s reputation as an efficient, innovative, and customer-focused airline, with direct connections from Barcelona to various global destinations.
Current Fleet and Expansion Plans
LEVEL currently boasts a fleet of six Airbus A330-200s, configured to accommodate between 275 and 311 passengers in both economy and premium economy classes. With the imminent arrival of a seventh aircraft and an eighth expected by 2026, LEVEL is on track for significant growth.
- Current Routes: LEVEL’s operations focus on key routes from its hub at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), including:
- Boston (BOS)
- Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK)
- Santiago de Chile (SCL)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- San Francisco (SFO) (seasonal)
Growth in Capacity and Passenger Numbers
Since 2019, LEVEL has doubled its annual capacity, offering nearly one million seats in 2024. For the winter 2024-25 season, the airline has increased its flights to the U.S. by 9% year-on-year, making approximately 300,000 seats available. In September 2024, LEVEL reported flying around 627,000 passengers—a 25.2% increase from 2023—with an impressive load factor of 95.3%.
Learning from the Past
IAG’s experience with its former subsidiary, LEVEL Europe, which operated from 2018 to 2020 before shutting down due to the pandemic’s impact on air travel, serves as a lesson in the importance of maintaining sustainable operations. LEVEL Europe, based in Vienna, had a fleet of A320s and A321s but struggled to remain viable amidst the changing travel landscape.
Looking Ahead
As LEVEL prepares for its new beginning as an independent airline, the focus remains on enhancing service quality and expanding operational capabilities while maintaining its low-cost model.
For further insights into LEVEL’s upcoming changes and growth strategies, stay tuned to our updates. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below or explore our related articles for more information on the evolving airline industry.
Read more about the future of budget airlines here and learn about IAG’s other subsidiaries.
