109 flights canceled in Spain

Iberia, the Spanish airline unit of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG), canceled 109 flights today as pilots’ union Sepla called a strike to protest against the creation of a lower-cost carrier for short-haul flights, following strikes last month, the Bloomberg reports.

Iberia canceled 35 percent of its flights today, including international and national trips, affecting about 11,600 passengers, the Madrid-based company said in a statement today. Sepla said it will also call a strike on Jan. 11.

The company, which merged with British Airways last year to create IAG, plans to transfer planes to the Iberia Express unit this year to boost the profitability of domestic and European services.

Iberia said it offered alternative flights with Iberia and other airlines to customers affected by the strikes. It also offered ticket refunds for those who didn’t want to fly.