Commercial, Network Development and Alliances Director (Directora Comercial, de Desarrollo de Red y Alianzas), Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A. Operadora (Iberia)
Entrevista exclusiva a la representante de Iberia María Jesús López Solás
Programas De Variedades Producido por Robert Gonzalez
de comunicacion positiva , Trasmitido por Santo Domingo Tv
Canal 24 y 69 UHF De Lunes a Viernes a la 5:00 pm
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Transcript (23 segments)
I
Interviewer0:01
Now we are going to talk with the representative of Iberia, Mrs. María de Jesús López, who has just signed an important agreement with the Dominican Republic in the presence of President Luis Abinader and the Minister of Tourism. We will find out what this means for Iberia and why with the Dominican Republic. Thank you very much.
M
María Solás0:20
For us, signing this agreement is of vital importance because the Dominican Republic has always been in the heart of Iberia, but even since the pandemic, the possibilities have been infinite. As your president mentioned, the openness that the country has shown has been fundamental so that many tourists, many of our customers, both from Spain and Europe, could travel to the Dominican Republic even during these years of crisis. This is fundamental. So signing this agreement makes it easier for us to reach these customers and let them know about the wonders that the Dominican Republic has to offer.
I
Interviewer0:57
Mrs. María de Jesús, as you have well said, after the pandemic tourism has changed a bit, but we see how Iberia maintains its flights, maintains its presence not only in the Dominican Republic but also how flights flow to different destinations around the world through Iberia. We have always believed that we have to come out of this crisis flying and offering our customers those destinations where they want to fly at any given time. Clearly, the Dominican Republic has been one of the examples where we have even reinforced our offer. Currently, until March, we will maintain 13 weekly flights, and even throughout 2022 we will be flying more than we operated pre-pandemic in 2019. Mrs. María de Jesús, you keep flying, but we see that everything continues to evolve.
Iberia is an important airline, but today at FITUR 2022, the presence of King Juan Carlos was felt. What do you think of that presence at this FITUR fair, and especially at the Dominican Republic stand?
M
María Solás1:55
For us, the King is the symbol of Spain that welcomes the Dominican Republic as a member country of FITUR. And for us, it is fantastic that this alliance can exist and that the King is present and helps us strengthen collaborations like that with the Dominican Republic.
I
Interviewer2:13
Mrs. María de Jesús, the presence of the Dominican people in Spain has grown considerably. We see how the Dominican community is increasingly larger. How is the demand from Dominicans for Iberia flights to the Dominican Republic?
M
María Solás2:28
We have a great demand from Dominicans to go to the Dominican Republic, and that is part of what allows us to maintain this capacity. We currently have more flights than we had in 2019. And of course, the Dominican community in Spain is very large and very relevant. For example, we have a project called 'Talento a Bordo' where we put talent to fly. We have an athlete that we share between the Dominican Republic and Spain, for example, Raíz Zapata, whom we are supporting. He was a medalist in Tokyo 2020, and we continue to support him through this project.
I
Interviewer3:06
This project is very interesting. If we could give a little more detail to our Dominican community, both those who see Spain and those who see the Dominican Republic, so they can be motivated and perhaps become part of these talents. What do you think?
M
María Solás3:20
Well, through the 'Talento a Bordo' project, we want to support culture, sports, gastronomy, and also other areas. We believe it is fundamental for Iberia not to limit ourselves to our activity but to give back to society. That is what our talent project is based on: putting talent to fly and supporting these artists, talented people, and athletes so they can make their talent fly around the world. And of course, we have the great honor that Raúl Zapata is among the talented people we are supporting from Iberia.
I
Interviewer4:00
We know that there may be hidden talents who have not been part of this important opportunity. How can they get in touch with you? How do they access this information to be part of 'Talento a Bordo'?
M
María Solás4:11
Of course, if they get in touch with our marketing and brand area, they could see how to take advantage of this platform. Not only to learn about this agreement and 'Talento a Bordo' and other topics, but also to learn about the projections and growth plans that Iberia has for the Dominican Republic and the world.
Well, as we mentioned, we are trying to recover from this crisis by flying and recovering in those destinations where there is demand, where customers want to fly more. Clearly, the Dominican Republic is one of them. For this reason, in 2022 we are planning to fly more than we operated in 2019. That is our goal.
I
Interviewer4:56
Regarding the process of transformation and modernization of your aircraft, all that process that sometimes takes time for updates, how does Iberia work on these changes that technology brings, and also for the aircraft?
M
María Solás5:12
Well, we are truly modernizing our entire fleet. Within this transformation process that we are experiencing, and which has even accelerated due to COVID, we are grounding our less sustainable fleet (the four-engine ones) and we are promoting the most sustainable fleet of our modern A350s and A332s. These are the most relevant aircraft that we have available for our customers. They are more sustainable and help us meet our sustainability commitment. These aircraft, this fleet that is changing, go hand in hand with technology. We are also modernizing onboard processes with new technologies. For us, technology is fundamental, not only on the plane but also throughout the airport. One of our fundamental objectives is to digitalize the customer experience as much as possible at all touchpoints, making it safer, more digital, and more personalized, but always without losing the human touch, which is so important and emblematic of our Iberia brand.
I
Interviewer6:23
I remember that in those times when we traveled with Iberia, when we had to come here to visit Italy or any European destination, Dominicans always highlighted the amount of space that Iberia offered, giving them the opportunity to bring gifts and bring the presence of that Dominican community to their families. Does Iberia maintain these same standards that are attractive to passengers?
M
María Solás6:45
Well, we are always reviewing our product and our commercial policies to adapt to what customers want. We always try to offer products tailored to needs. There are so many different needs: families, people traveling for business. We always try to offer products according to each customer's needs.
I
Interviewer7:06
Mrs. María, I think we have done a complete overview of Iberia. We haven't boarded the plane, but with this conversation with you, we feel like we are inside an aircraft. I would like you to send a message to the Dominican community and to all users of Iberia, in a very special way, please.
M
María Solás7:24
Well, I would like to thank the Dominican people for being as they are and for being so welcoming to all travelers who come from around the world to the Dominican Republic. Thank you, thank you for the openness, and I hope we continue flying to the Dominican Republic for many years.
I
Interviewer7:42
This is an obligatory question that I cannot fail to ask, for the sake of commitment and so that people know in depth: How did you feel about the treatment and receptivity of the Minister of Tourism and President Luis Abinader prior to this agreement?
M
María Solás7:56
Well, it was great kindness, very open, and truly a pleasure to have been able to sign this very important agreement for Iberia with the President. Thank you very much.
I
Interviewer8:08
Do you intend to carry out other agreements after this, or more?
M
María Solás8:12
Well, I hope we can continue signing as many agreements as possible, obviously for sustainability and a long-term relationship with the Dominican Republic. Thank you very much.
I
Interviewer8:22
Thank you. We have shared with you on Enfocados and all the media we collaborate with this interesting interview with the representative of Iberia, who just signed an important agreement with President Luis Abinader, hand in hand with the Minister of Tourism David Collado. So thank you all very much.