IAG’s “low-cost long haul” carrier LEVEL has taken a big step forward – with the airline obtaining its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
The LEVEL brand initially started operating flights under Iberia (and for a period Openskies).
It’s been seven years since LEVEL Started flying and it seems that the brand wants to develop its Barcelona network, whilst being more autonomous. LEVEL began pursuing its AOC in November 2023 (as announced at an IAG investors event).
With that operational autonomy, LEVEL is aiming to be more agile in how it delivers its programme, and thus can operate as its own entity, results and processes within IAG, in the same way as the rest of the group’s airlines (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling).
LEVEL staff Celebrating the Air Operator Certificate – Image, LEVEL
There will be additional employment, as the head office will plan to double its office workforce, with a new operations team, as well as add to its departments. Technical crews (commanders and co-pilots) and passenger cabin crew will also be part of the new LEVEL structure.
Whilst the AOC has been granted, there are still a few things to be done, which will continue into 2025 – namely LEVEL will need to gain its own operational permits to fly to each country in its network – in the airline’s case, Argentina, Chile and the United States.
When this last process is complete, LEVEL will start operating with the IATA code “LL“. The ICAO code assigned is “LVL“, while the LEVEL call sign for communications with the control tower will be “Dalí“,
In Quotes
According to Rafael Jiménez Hoyos, CEO of LEVEL:
Today is a historic day for LEVEL. Obtaining our Air Operator Certificate is a fundamental step for our airline, which will contribute to undertaking our growth and expansion plan while creating a legacy and know-how of the long-haul in Barcelona. This milestone marks the beginning of a new stage, in which we will continue to work with the same commitment to consolidate LEVEL as an efficient, innovative and customer-oriented airline, connecting Barcelona with the world directly and non-stop”.
To a whole new LEVEL
LEVEL is continuing to expand as it develops long-haul operations out of its Barcelona home, with the airline planning to strengthen direct connectivity between Barcelona and key airports in the Americas, such as its current destination cities: New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile.
Supporting this, LEVEL is planning to add a seventh aircraft to its fleet in the coming weeks, along with an eighth by 2026.
LEVEL is currently an all-Airbus operation, exclusively operating the Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration.
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