Iberia's Miami-Madrid route generates 4,000 jobs and contributes around €171 million to the GDP of both countries

The aviation sector, in addition to making it possible for people to connect with the rest of the world, also offers an important contribution to the creation of employment and wealth in different countries. In the case of Iberia, according to a study carried out by the consultancy Trascendent, the airline's route connecting Miami with Madrid contributes 171 million euros to the GDP of both countries and creates around 4,000 jobs.

Of these jobs, around 675 are direct, 995 are indirect and the remaining 2,200 are induced by the tourist activity generated by the route.

As for the contribution to the US national economy produced by this route, this was mainly explained by the availability of around 390,000 seats in 2022 between both cities, 82% of which did so for leisure. In 2022, the average expenditure per international tourist visiting the United States was €2,525.

“These figures are proof of the contribution that the aviation sector makes to society and make our purpose a reality: generating prosperity by connecting people with the world. Aviation connects people, countries and culture, while allowing the internationalisation of businesses and generating wealth,” explains Beatriz Guillén, Iberia’s Global Sales Director.

The economy benefits from air connectivity

According to the data extracted from the Trascendent report, the economy of countries and, therefore, the wealth generated is one of the aspects that stands out most thanks to air connectivity.

For example, the route between Miami and Madrid also contributes more than 85.5 million euros to the development of local suppliers thanks to the tourist activity generated around the route, boosting companies of different sectors and sizes both in Spain and the US. Of the total, 55 million correspond to the United States, representing 65%, and 30.6 million to Spain.

Similarly, foreign trade is another of the aspects that stand out the most in the economic contribution of the Iberia route between Miami and Madrid. In this sense, in 2022, the company transported 7,260 tons of merchandise between both countries. In the case of Miami, it was essential for the export of flowers and fruits and vegetables, among others.

Furthermore, air connectivity is an enabler of transnational business. According to Trascendent data, in 2022, the route made possible the realization of nearly 36,000 international business trips last year, an aspect that subsequently translates into the achievement of business and encourages the arrival of foreign direct investment.

Sustainability, at the heart of social impact

For Iberia, social impact is a fundamental part of its sustainability strategy, which is also very focused on increasing the efficiency of its operations and reducing its emissions.

The report states that Iberia's operation between Miami and Madrid produces 10% less CO2 than the average of airlines that offer these flights. This is mainly explained by the adoption of new technologies, such as the replacement of the A340 fleet with A330s - which currently operate the route - and which are 30% to 35% more efficient than the aircraft they replace. Currently, Iberia's entire fleet is twin-engine.

For this winter season, which begins at the end of October and runs until the end of March, Iberia offers 14 weekly frequencies, or in other words, 2 daily flights in each direction. In 2024 as a whole, the Spanish company will put more than 424,000 seats on sale between Miami and Madrid.

Source: IBERIA.