An Air Europa Boeing 737-800. IAG is buying the airline. - Olivier CABARET / Flickr

International Airlines Group (IAG) had a surprise for the airline industry this week: It stated its intention to buy Spanish carrier Air Europa. This wasn’t a surprise to Skift Airline Weekly, however, which earlier this year reported on the rumors afloat about the acquisition.

What’s in it for IAG?  Skift Airline Weekly Senior Analyst Jay Shabat walked us through the rationale for the acquisition, the regulatory issues that may lie ahead, and just why Madrid may not be the next European megahub. Shabat also explained why IAG, which already owns Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, and Level, is getting its fifth Spanish airline.

Listen to the full episode: