Alex Cuenca

✈️ China Eastern Airlines will launch the world's longest flight, taking 29 hours from Shanghai to Buenos Aires, with a brief refueling stop in Auckland, New Zealand. The flight spans 26 hours in the air and begins operations from December 4, utilizing B777 aircraft. Flights depart China on Mondays and Thursdays and return from Argentina on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tickets are priced around $1,400. This route surpasses the previous longest single-ticket flight by China Airlines from Beijing to Sao Paulo.

✈️ Volotea, June-August 2025, Spain: Surpassed European network performance, transporting over 1 million passengers on 6,700 flights with a 95% occupancy rate. Expanded with six new routes including Barcelona-Bordeaux and Madrid-Ancona. Despite growth, facing ongoing financial challenges with €35 million EBIT, €148 million EBITDA, and €811 million sales in 2024. Still owes €300 million of a €350 million state rescue and ICO-backed loan. Sold 21% stake to Aegean Airlines; plans IPO by 2026.

🚄 In 2024, Spain's train market saw 49 million passengers, a 42% increase from 2019. Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo's competition saved citizens €503.9 million, with ticket prices dropping 33%. Despite improved results in 2024, companies faced €99.5 million in losses, down from €133 million in profits in 2019. High-speed rail incurred over €600 million in losses since market liberalization. Domestic train travel is 56.5% of long-distance trips, surpassing air travel. Infrastructure improvements are deemed essential for growth.

📦 El Juzgado de Instrucción número 13 de Madrid initiates preliminary proceedings involving Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain's president, and ex-CEO of Globalia, Javier Hidalgo, for alleged misconduct in Air Europa's bailout. The inquiry, now with Juzgado de Instrucción 41, stems from a complaint by Manos Limpias alleging influence peddling during meetings in June-July 2020. The bailout was approved in November 2020. The investigation explores possible legal breaches.

✈ Un Airbus A320 de Marabu tuvo un complicado aterrizaje en el aeropuerto de Madeira debido a fuertes vientos cruzados. El avión rebotó bruscamente en la pista antes de tocar tierra nuevamente.

🛩 Air Europa has received its second Boeing 737 Max, continuing its fleet renewal for short and medium-haul routes. The first unit arrived in May 2025. Two more units are expected by the end of the year, with 10 additional planes by 2026. The total will reach 20 aircraft by mid-2028, a year later than initially planned. Delivered by AerCap, these planes will serve medium-haul routes, occasionally used for domestic flights.

✈ Transavia increases seats by 17% for summer 2026, offering 61 routes linking Spain to Europe. Key cities: Barajas, El Prat, Valencia, Málaga, Alicante, Baleares, Canarias. New route: Marseille-Sevilla, starting April 9, 2026, with prices from €33. Expands 10 new routes from Paris-Orly and Schiphol, targeting Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, Turkey. Summer season: March 29 - October 31, 2026, with ticket resale option available.