tl;dr – This move strengthens each airline’s network.
China Southern Airlines and Iberia have entered into a codeshare partnership. As part of the agreement, each airline’s flight numbers will be co-listed on each other’s routes.
Iberia will also see its flight numbers attached to domestic flights within China, as will China Southern Airlines with regard to domestic routes with Spain, and on Iberia’s routes to Latin America.
Madrid is strategically located in a crossroads of sorts – one of the larger major cities, furthest west in mainland Europe, the airport has been a growing hub due to its location and its robust route coverage of the Americas – in particular South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In fact, the Spanish airline has a dedicated strategic plan – Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030 – for strengthening intercontinental connectivity in the next decade. “This plan includes a €6 billion investment to renew and expand the long-haul fleet—from 48 to 70 aircraft—digitalize services, improve the customer experience, and consolidate connectivity between Europe, the Americas, and Asia.”
