Iberia to proceed 'immediately' with 3,141 redundancies to prevent the airline's 'disappearance'

IBERIA says it has 'no option' but to go ahead with the 3,141 redundancies it has announced to save the company from 'possible ruin'.

The Spanish airline, which merged with British Airways to form the company IAG (International Airline Group) says its situation is 'calamitous' and that if it does not lay off thousands of staff it could face 'disappearing altogether'.

They have admitted the redundancies are 'a national tragedy', but say they have 'no choice'.

Agreements between Iberia and the unions have been approved by the National Court since, if the redundancies are not carried out 'with immediate effect', the firm could be forced to make 'even greater sacrifices' including its 'ultimate closure'.

Initially, over 6,000 jobs were set to go, but persistent strikes by pilots, cabin crew and ground staff forced negotiations which included a voluntary 27-per-cent pay cut for pilots.

The job cuts will affect 2,256 members of ground staff, 258 pilots and 627 cabin crew members, leaving the bare minimum of employees needed 'to cover the most profitable routes'.