Alex Cuenca

📈 TCI, a major private shareholder with 6.25% in Aena, opposes freezing airport fees from 2027 to 2031. They warned Aena's board of potential legal action, citing financial loss risks. Chris Hohn, TCI's founder, urged board members to oppose such fees, risking civil actions. A freeze could cut regulated returns to 5%, losing nearly €4 billion. TCI suggests a 7.5%-9% capital cost and 2% annual fee increases. In March, fees might rise by 6.6%, averaging €11.03 per passenger, if CNMC approves.

📅 La Unión Europea avanza hacia un acuerdo final sobre la Directiva de Viajes Combinados. En octubre 2023, representantes como Jordi Martí de Acave, Iván Méndez de UNAV, y Carlos Garrido de CEAV, destacan preocupaciones sobre definiciones y limitaciones en pagos anticipados. Las asociaciones de agencias de viajes abogan por un marco normativo equilibrado, excluyendo anticipos y adaptando definiciones de viaje combinado para evitar desigualdades entre Estados Miembros y obligaciones excesivas.

📈 Eu Travel Tech disputes Google's claims about the Digital Markets Act (DMA) negatively affecting hotels and airlines. Emmanuel Mounier, secretary-general, argues Google is misrepresenting facts to maintain dominance. Google claims the DMA reduces direct links, benefiting intermediaries. Eu Travel Tech counters, citing a real sales impact of just -0.8%, not the 30% reported by Mirai. They argue this minimal impact doesn't harm the sector, which recently saw record highs in Europe, and urge Google to stop favoring its services.