Alex Cuenca

✈ British Airways will stop flights to Beijing at the end of October with the winter schedule. Virgin previously ceased all flights to China, but IAG will continue flying to Shanghai. Despite domestic traffic in China reaching pre-pandemic levels, international flight recovery lags. London-Beijing traffic has increased with additional frequencies from China Southern and Air China. Flights now exceed eleven and a half hours due to detours to avoid Russian airspace, raising costs. No British flights to China's capital are expected until at least summer 2025.

📍 Tourism companies are meeting deadlines for repaying state bailouts from SEPI. Over €500 million has been received by SEPI, a significant portion from tourism firms. Hotusa announced a €28 million repayment on August 6, totaling €108 million or 44% of their €241 million bailout. Wamos repaid €9.6 million recently, totaling over €17 million of its €85 million aid. Plus Ultra Airlines has returned over €4.9 million in three years, with a €2.4 million contribution in March. Air Europa has repaid 15% of its loans, around €95 million, including €41 million from €475 million SEPI funds and €25 million from €141 million ICO loans, plus €66 million in interest. Ávoris fully repaid its €320 million loan in late 2022. SEPI aims to recover around €2.100 billion, with other companies like Serhs and Volotea on the list.