Iberia remains Spain’s largest full-service airline and one of Europe’s leading carriers on routes between Europe and Latin America. Operating from Madrid-Barajas Airport, the airline is a major part of International Airlines Group (IAG) alongside British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling.
Following strong post-pandemic demand, Iberia has continued improving profitability while investing in fleet renewal, premium cabins and long-haul expansion. The airline has also strengthened Madrid’s position as one of Europe’s most important connecting hubs for Latin American traffic.
Leading Iberia through this expansion phase is CEO and Chairman Marco Sansavini, whose compensation reflects both Iberia’s financial recovery and its strategic importance within IAG.
Who is Iberia CEO Marco Sansavini?
Marco Sansavini became Chairman and CEO of Iberia in 2022 after holding senior leadership positions within the IAG group. Italian-born, Sansavini studied economics before building an extensive aviation career across Europe.
Before joining Iberia, he worked in commercial and network leadership roles at Vueling and later became Chief Commercial Officer at Iberia. He gained a reputation for strengthening long-haul network strategy and improving the airline’s premium market positioning, particularly on routes connecting Europe with Latin America.
As CEO, Sansavini has focused heavily on operational reliability, customer experience and profitable expansion. Under his leadership, Iberia has accelerated fleet renewal, expanded premium cabin offerings and strengthened Madrid’s role as a strategic long-haul hub.
Marco Sansavini Salary and Compensation in 2026
Because Iberia operates within the wider IAG group, executive compensation is not always disclosed separately in the same way as standalone listed airlines. However, based on comparable IAG executive structures and Spanish corporate norms, Sansavini’s estimated 2026 compensation is:
- Base salary: approximately €850,000–950,000
- Annual performance bonus: around €700,000–1.0 million
- Long-term incentive awards/share-based compensation: roughly €1.2–1.8 million
- Benefits and pension allowances: about €150,000–250,000
This places his estimated total compensation at €3–4 million, equivalent to roughly US$3.4–4.5 million in 2026.
As with other IAG executives, a substantial share of the package is performance-linked and tied to group profitability, shareholder returns and operational targets.
Salary Comparison: Iberia vs British Airways and Air Europa
To better understand Marco Sansavini’s estimated €3–4 million (US$3.4–4.5 million) package, it helps to compare it with nearby European and Spanish airline peers.
At British Airways, CEO Sean Doyle earns significantly more, with an estimated 2026 compensation of around £4.4–5.6 million. British Airways operates a larger global network and generates substantially higher premium long-haul revenue.
Meanwhile, at Air Europa, executive compensation is considerably lower, with CEO-level earnings estimated at around €1–2 million annually due to the airline’s smaller scale and financial profile.
Compared with these peers, Sansavini’s compensation sits in the middle tier of Southern European airline executive pay, below British Airways leadership levels but above smaller Spanish competitors.
ALSO READ: easyJet CEO Salary in 2026
Iberia Strategic Focus for 2026
Iberia enters 2026 focused heavily on long-haul growth and premium expansion.
One major priority is strengthening Madrid-Barajas as Europe’s leading gateway to Latin America. The airline continues expanding frequencies and destinations across South and Central America, where demand remains strong.
Fleet renewal also remains central, with Airbus A350 and A321XLR aircraft helping improve efficiency and expand long-haul flexibility.
Another important focus is premium product development, including upgrades to business class, lounges and digital customer experience.
Operational reliability and sustainability also remain key areas of investment, especially as European environmental regulations continue to tighten.
Additionally, Iberia continues working closely with IAG partners to improve network coordination and maximise transatlantic joint venture performance.
Bottom Line
Marco Sansavini’s estimated €3–4 million (US$3.4–4.5 million) compensation in 2026 reflects Iberia’s growing profitability and strategic role within the IAG group.
While lower than British Airways’ leadership packages, his pay remains competitive within Southern Europe and is strongly linked to performance.
As Iberia continues expanding long-haul operations and strengthening Madrid’s global hub position, Sansavini’s future earnings will likely remain closely tied to financial and operational success.
Iberia CEO Salary FAQs
His estimated total compensation is around €3–4 million annually.
Yes. Bonuses and long-term incentives make up a large share of the package.
Long-haul growth, fleet renewal and premium service expansion.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
