Commercial, Network Development and Alliances Director (Directora Comercial, de Desarrollo de Red y Alianzas), Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A. Operadora (Iberia)
MARÍA JESÚS LÓPEZ SOLÁS, DIRECTORA COMERCIAL DE IBERIA, EN EL TOP 100 MUJERES LÍDERES EN ESPAÑA
MARÍA JESÚS LÓPEZ SOLÁS (ANDÚJAR), DIRECTORA COMERCIAL DE IBERIA, EN EL TOP 100 MUJERES LÍDERES EN ESPAÑA, RECONOCIDA EN LA CATEGORÍA DE DIRECCIÓN DE EMPRESAS
Transcript (24 segments)
P
Paqui0:01
Well, as we had mentioned in our news programs, you have had the opportunity to follow it through our social networks. We wanted, with the excuse of March 8th, to highlight the name of three women from Andújar who are shining with their own light, working hard, and it was at the beginning of 2023 when their names came to light in the news, but their names in their respective areas have been shining for a long time. The case today is that of María Jesús López Solás, daughter of Andújar, who is in the world of aviation, experiencing an important moment in her professional career and helping her company to also experience it. She is with us, María Jesús, good afternoon.
M
María Solás1:01
Hello, good afternoon Paqui, thank you very much, delighted to be here. First of all, I want to congratulate you and give you a big kiss on behalf of all your fellow townspeople.
P
Paqui1:10
And for what we have recently known about you, that is why we brought you to the microphones of Radio Andújar. In the tenth edition of the top 100 women leaders in Spain, your name has appeared, and that's what we want you to tell us about, in the category of business management. What does this mean to you?
M
María Solás1:32
Well, the truth is that it is a huge honor, this recognition, as a bit of a recognition of the work that many women do and that, like so many women who are not seen day to day, the ranking tries to make visible female talent in ten different categories, and specifically in my case, in the executive category.
P
Paqui1:59
Well, you have a degree in business administration and management, and before joining Iberia, you had a fast career, right?
M
María Solás2:09
Well, let's say I have tried to do many things, always things that I like, that make me happy, that excite me, that motivate me, and it has always been with a lot of support from my family and friends. I have been in different places: I worked in consulting, then lived outside Spain, in the United States, in Latin America, and then finally I returned to Madrid and started working at Iberia, where I am happy and delighted because the world of travel is fascinating for me, it's my vocation.
P
Paqui2:45
But when you finished your degree, did you have a clear idea of where you wanted to go?
M
María Solás2:52
Well, not exactly. In the end, different alternatives come up in life, and I think I have always tried to choose those where I can learn a little and with which I also feel happy and content day to day.
P
Paqui3:08
Of course, in the end, we can start doing things, touching many areas within the scope of your training and career, but then an opportunity arises that is where I want to go. Had you ever considered approaching this world related to aviation?
M
María Solás3:28
Well, the truth is that it is a world that has always fascinated me because since I was little, traveling is something that has always brought me a lot. So it has always been a world that I have had very close. When I was studying at university in the United States, I took some subjects related to aviation and airlines because I was very interested, and from there I started looking for more job alternatives related to this industry and trying to turn my vocation and passion into my profession. I am delighted and happy.
P
Paqui4:08
It shows in the way you say it, that you are super happy and fulfilled. Well, but tell your fellow townspeople, those who are following us especially from Andújar, who discover that María Jesús López Solás is a daughter of Andújar, what does your job at Iberia consist of?
M
María Solás4:28
Well, my job consists of leading a team of people where we do many things, from defining the destinations where Iberia flies, which cities, which countries, what are the schedules, what plane we have to fly, to the entire process of commercialization and sale of tickets both through agencies and our website, the design of the products we sell, and making sure that customers ultimately choose Iberia as their airline of reference. The strategy after the pandemic has been very focused on being close to customers, listening to them, and betting on our employees, which has led to very good results.
P
Paqui6:02
Hey, María Jesús, what is a day like for you?
M
María Solás6:07
Well, a day of mine can be very varied. I get up early, around seven. I travel two or three times a month to Latin America, North America, or London. When in Madrid, I go to the office, meet with my team, have external meetings. I try to take the kids to school, or my husband does. It's non-stop, many hours of work.
P
Paqui7:07
Of course, when you travel abroad, you are away from the family much more than when you stay in Madrid.
M
María Solás7:16
Of course, I always try to balance it and be with my little ones. Weekends are sacred. I spend a lot of time with them and with friends and family. You have to be available 24/7, but I try to reconcile as much as possible and spend quality time with the family while attending to the responsibility of the position.
P
Paqui7:56
Do you have time to come to Andújar?
M
María Solás8:00
Yes, we go from time to time to see family and friends. For example, at Christmas we were there from Christmas Eve until after New Year's Eve.
P
Paqui8:15
Look, related to your profession, Andújar has an airport but no planes, you know that, right? That's a little joke. Well, María Jesús, now Iberia, tell me something at a professional level before I let you go, are you expanding more places to travel with your company?
M
María Solás8:56
Yes, we are committed to continuing to grow, especially in North America and Latin America. This year we will be flying above pre-pandemic levels. We opened new routes like Dallas and Washington, resumed San Francisco, and increased frequencies. In Latin America, we are reinforcing flights to Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and others. Also in Europe and the islands, through Iberia Express.
P
Paqui10:02
Fantastic. One more thing, María Jesús, I suppose that your company has also been enjoying that you are among the top 100 women leaders in Spain, right?
M
María Solás10:12
Well, I think this is a prize for everyone, especially for all of us who work in the company. It is a recognition of the company for our work, our purpose, and what we do for society. So it is a recognition for everyone, and in particular for all the women of Iberia.
P
Paqui10:40
Very generous of you with this message, but the distinguished one is you, because you have a very important career. Iberia must feel proud to have one of its directors in the top. We feel very proud of you, María Jesús, that you are our fellow countrywoman, a young woman succeeding and doing a great job for women. Thank you very much and congratulations again.
M
María Solás11:17
Thank you very much, Paqui, thank you very much and a big kiss.