IAG chief executive Willie Walsh has confirmed that the group's new budget long-haul carrier Level will expand its fleet next year and may add new bases to its network.

Walsh, who appeared at an event marking the inauguration of Level's service from Barcelona to Los Angeles today, states that the carrier will increase its fleet to five aircraft in 2018 and adds: "We are considering other European bases for the operation." He did not disclose the type or origin of the aircraft.

Barcelona-based Level currently operates a fleet of two Airbus A330s provided by sister company Iberia. The carrier will add services to Oakland, Punta Cana and Buenos Aires later this month.

Walsh describes Level's sales as being "well ahead of our expectations in all markets". Some 134,000 tickets have sold since Level's unveiling on 17 March, says IAG.

Level is codesharing with Oneworld carrier American Airlines on US flights from Barcelona.

Source: Cirium Dashboard