Beyond the strictly aeronautical field, Iberia has built various partnerships over the years that have resulted in meaningful agreements. Fully aware of our social responsibility, we’ve collaborated with organizations such as UNICEF and several NGOs to vaccinate over one million children in Angola, Chad, and Cuba, transport children in need of medical treatment far from home, participate in educational projects for disadvantaged populations, and help integrate individuals at risk of social exclusion into the workforce, among many other initiatives. We’ve also responded to emergency situations and voluntarily partnered with Spain’s National Transplant Organization (ONT) to transport organs for patients awaiting transplants.
Sustainability is another key commitment at Iberia, with initiatives such as the Zero Cabin Waste program and our support for the use and promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). But Iberia is also deeply committed to education—do you know about our projects in this area?
Iberia Chair at the Polytechnic University of Madrid
In March 2024, Iberia signed an agreement with the Polytechnic University of Madrid to establish the Iberia Chair in Aeronautical Research. The Chair is based at the School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering (ETSIAE) and aims to promote academic and research-related activities.
Key components of this agreement include financial support for PhD programs and undergraduate thesis projects related to the company’s areas of interest—such as composite materials, aerodynamics, or heavy maintenance structures. The Chair also offers scholarships for Master’s and Bachelor’s final projects and aims to complement the training received at UPM, potentially opening doors for students to join the Iberia team after graduation.
Iberia Classroom
As part of this partnership, the Iberia Classroom was inaugurated in November 2024. This space acts as a meeting point—a bridge between academia and the professional world. It offers students at ETSIAE practical learning experiences and career guidance, thanks to the expertise and knowledge shared by some of Iberia’s top professionals.
The main objectives are to foster knowledge transfer from the industry to the academic world, support academic and research projects in relevant fields, and facilitate the job placement of future aeronautical and aerospace engineers.
Despega Mentoring Program
Also under the agreement with the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the Despega Mentoring Program was launched. It is aimed at final-year students of ETSIAE and Master’s students interested in expanding their knowledge in engineering, management, or airline operations.
This six-month program selects six students who will work with experienced mentors from Iberia. It offers real-world immersion, helping students develop practical skills, deepen their understanding of the aviation industry, explore career opportunities, and shape their professional profiles.
Agreement with Planeta Formación, Iberia, and Colombia
Another recent initiative highlighting Iberia’s commitment to higher education is a partnership with Planeta Formación, a higher education network created by Grupo Planeta. In December 2024, an agreement was finalized to connect Spain and Colombia and promote student mobility from Colombia.
The agreement aims to build international bridges and support educational exchanges through special discounts for students who choose to pursue academic programs with Planeta Formación.
Planeta Formación includes 22 educational institutions around the world and serves over 150,000 students from around 100 different nationalities.
Iberia Cadets: Specialized Pilot Training
Outside the university environment, Iberia also supports the training of future team members through programs like Iberia Cadets, where top candidates are selected each year to become pilots.
To date, the program has run four editions, and Iberia has hired more than 30 pilots trained under this initiative—those who demonstrated the highest level of aptitude. Pilot training can be achieved through various paths, but practical training at a flight school is essential. Iberia Cadets is run in partnership with the prestigious FTEJerez flight school.
So, what does this agreement entail? Candidates are jointly selected by Iberia and FTEJerez to participate in a training program that is approximately 50% funded. This training enables them to earn the ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License)—the highest-level license for commercial aviation. Throughout the training process, Iberia monitors the selected candidates’ progress and performance regularly to ensure they meet the necessary standards.