International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) is one of Europe’s largest airline holding companies and a prominent lobbying entity in the EU. Registered on the EU Transparency Register since August 25, 2010, IAG represents the interests of its major airline brands—Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, and LEVEL—across the European Union’s legislative and regulatory landscape. The group’s lobbying activities are driven by its strategic aim to influence EU policy and regulation affecting the aviation sector, ensuring that the operational and commercial interests of its airlines are protected and advanced within the evolving European market.
IAG’s lobbying focuses on a broad range of policy areas, including aviation regulation, international relations, the Single European Sky initiative, sustainable transport, the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 package, sustainable finance, COVID-19 travel restrictions, safety and security, social issues, infrastructure and investment, logistics and multimodal transport, consumer regulation and passenger rights, and taxation. These topics reflect the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the aviation industry, from environmental sustainability and digitalization to post-pandemic recovery and evolving passenger expectations.
The group employs a dedicated team of lobbyists, with a declared full-time equivalent (FTE) of two and a total of five individuals involved in lobbying activities, some of whom hold European Parliament (EP) accreditation. IAG’s lobbying efforts are characterized by direct engagement with EU institutions, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union, as well as participation in high-level meetings to provide input on legislative proposals and regulatory developments.
IAG’s financial commitment to lobbying is significant, with annual expenditures in the range of €300,000 to €399,999 for the financial year 2020, reflecting the importance the group places on effective advocacy within the EU policy environment1. Since its registration, IAG has reported consistent lobbying expenditures and has participated in at least 39 high-level Commission meetings, underscoring its active role in shaping EU aviation policy.
The group’s headquarters and EU office are both located in Harmondsworth, United Kingdom, positioning IAG at the crossroads of UK and EU aviation interests, particularly in the context of post-Brexit regulatory alignment and cooperation1. Through its lobbying activities, IAG seeks not only to influence policy outcomes but also to build networks with other stakeholders in the aviation and transport sectors, ensuring that its voice is heard in key debates affecting the future of European air travel.
