Iberia creates a bridge between Latin America and the Asian market with a codeshare agreement with China Southern

Iberia and China Southern Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement in Madrid that strengthens connectivity between China, Europe and Latin America.

The new direct route between Guangzhou and Madrid, operated by China Southern, will be the cornerstone of this cooperation. Thanks to this flight and the collaboration between the two airlines, Iberia customers in Latin America will be able to connect to major Chinese cities via Guangzhou, while passengers from China will have access to Iberia's extensive network in Spain, Europe, and Latin America, consolidating Madrid's position as a global hub.

With this agreement, Iberia will add its code (IB) to the China Southern flight between Guangzhou and Madrid, as well as to destinations in major cities in China.

For its part, the China Southern (CZ) code will be marketed, in connection with its services to Madrid, in most of Iberia's domestic destinations and in several cities in Latin America.

Iberia's codeshare flights with China Southern will operate three times a week, connecting Madrid and Guangzhou on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

“This alliance is a decisive step in our international growth strategy. It reinforces Madrid’s position as an intercontinental hub and consolidates Iberia’s role as a natural bridge between Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This agreement, along with our flights to Tokyo and Doha, reflects our strong commitment to Asia, offering more options and a travel experience that meets the demands of an increasingly global and competitive market,” said María Jesús López Solás, Iberia’s Commercial, Network Development, and Alliances Director. 

Iberia in Asia

Spain, due to its geographical location, is the natural gateway connecting Latin America with Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Iberia is consolidating its presence on the Asian continent with a network that combines its own routes and strategic alliances. It operates a daily flight to Doha, complemented by up to three daily flights from Qatar Airways on the same route, and four weekly flights to Tokyo, reinforcing its position in key markets on the continent.

With the flight to Doha, Iberia joined the world's largest airline joint venture, created by Qatar Airways and British Airways, which covers more than 60 countries and allows customers to connect to over 200 destinations in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Iberia and Qatar Airways jointly offer up to four daily flights between Madrid and Doha, significantly improving connectivity between the Iberian Peninsula and key markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

The agreement with China Southern complements this strategy and reinforces Iberia's position as a key player in intercontinental connectivity, consolidating Madrid as one of the main global hubs and strengthening Iberia's role as a bridge between Europe, Asia and Latin America.

From Madrid, customers wishing to continue their journey with Iberia can connect to 18 destinations in 16 Latin American countries, 10 direct destinations in the United States and 46 in Spain, making the Spanish capital a unique platform for traveling between three continents.

Flight Plan 2030: global connectivity as a strategic objective

Strengthening intercontinental connectivity is one of the cornerstones of Flight Plan 2030, Iberia's strategic roadmap for the next decade. This plan includes a €6 billion investment to renew and expand the fleet—from 48 to 70 long-haul aircraft—digitize services, improve the customer experience, and consolidate connectivity between Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Within this framework, Iberia has recently launched new long-haul routes, such as Orlando, Recife, and Fortaleza, and in 2026 will add destinations like Monterrey and Toronto, expanding its reach in strategic markets. The agreement with China Southern aligns with this vision and reinforces Iberia's role as a key player in global connectivity, positioning Madrid as one of the main intercontinental hubs.

Source: Iberia.