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BA owner launches low-cost transatlantic airline after feeling squeeze from budget operators

In a week that is likely to be overshadowed by British Airways’ bank holiday IT meltdown the airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group, has finally launched its transatlantic budget carrier Level in Spain today.

Starting from today the airline will service routes from Barcelona to Los Angeles with further services planned to San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

With fares starting at £99 one way, IAG says it has already sold over 100,000 seats in the first month and the group has already hinted that more European cities could potentially be serviced by the airline in the near future.

IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh, commented: “This is just the start. In summer 2018 we will have more aircraft and will operate more destinations from Barcelona. We’re also planning to expand Level operations to other European cities.”

According to IAG, Level will initially be serviced by staff from its Spanish Iberia airline, but that eventually the new routes will create up to 250 jobs in the Spanish city.

The launch comes as more budget airlines look to capture the transatlantic flight market, with operators such as Norwegian Air offering cut price tickets since 2011 and Icelandic budget airline WOW set to offer flights from a range of UK cities to North America this summer.

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