From July 2023, Fernando Candela will succeed Javier Sánchez Prieto, who is departing the carrier to take up new challenges outside the aviation industry. Mr. Candela previously served as CEO of Iberia Express, and has been the CEO of LEVEL since 2019.
On Thursday (May 4, 2023), Iberia announced that Fernando Candela will succeed Javier Sánchez Prieto as President of Iberia from July 2023. Mr. Sánchez Prieto will leave the company on his own volition to take up new professional projects outside of the aviation industry. He has led Iberia for three years and also served a total of 12 years at IAG. Fernando Candela previously served six years as CEO of Iberia Express and has been the CEO of LEVEL since 2019. He has also served as IAG’s Director of Transformation since 2020, steering the company’s post-pandemic recovery. In his new role, Candela will lead a team of professionals who continue to work on the airline’s transformation as a company focused on guests and team members. He will also focus on the consolidation of Iberia as a leader in Madrid, something to which the Air Europa operation will contribute, maintaining Iberia Handling’s leadership position in Spain and growing the MRO business.
In Thursday’s announcement, IAG’s CEO, Louis Gallego, said,
“Fernando Candela is an extraordinary professional and has been a key player in IAG and in the Iberia Group. His extensive experience in the world of aviation and transformation will add a lot of value to the company. His solvency [competence] makes him the best person to lead Iberia in the coming months.”
Also commenting on his new role as Iberia’s President, Fernando Candela said,
“There are many important challenges that await us in the coming months and I am convinced that, thanks to the professionalism shown every day by the Iberia team, we will be able to continue growing and constantly improving in each and every one of the businesses. There is, of course, no better finishing touch for my professional career than directing Iberia, the leading airline in Spain and one of the most outstanding companies in the country, a true example of efficiency in the international arena. Of course, in addition, it will be a pleasure to meet again and work hand in hand with many former colleagues.”
Speaking on his departure from the company, Javier Sánchez Prieto, added,
“It has been an honor for me to be in charge of Iberia these years. I feel very proud to have been part of the team that has managed to continue with the transformation of Iberia to make it one of the best companies in the world. I take with me magnificent work experience and the privilege of having worked with extraordinary professionals who are capable of achieving everything they set their minds to.”
With nearly 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Fernando Candela is an industrial engineer from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. He has also completed various training programs for executives at centers such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The Empesa Institute (IE) and the IESE. Mr. Candela has also previously worked for other companies including Uralita and Andersen Consulting.
Source: Iberia