Alex Cuenca

🚄 Maquinistas de Renfe, en mayo, alertaron sobre reducir la velocidad a 200-250 km/h en la línea 30 (Córdoba-Málaga) por vías en mal estado, en lugar de 350 km/h. Problemas afectan más a modelos Talgo 110, 112 y 108, con inestabilidad registrada cuatro veces en línea 30. Falta de mantenimiento y liberalización ferroviaria contribuyen al deterioro. SEMAF recomendó limitar a 250 km/h para reducir vibraciones y daños a componentes. No hay declaraciones de Iryo, Ouigo, ni otras compañías.

✈ Ryanair plans to cut nearly a million seats from Spanish regional airports in winter 2025/2026 due to a 6.5% increase in Aena fees, the highest in a decade. Announcements expected by September 2025. Previous cuts this summer included 800,000 seats, a capacity decrease of 18%, and 12 routes eliminated. Ryanair argues that regional airports are "not competitive" with a 70% occupancy. The airline suggests regional management and fee reductions as solutions.

✈ Un Boeing 777 de Latam, en ruta de Milán a Brasil, aterrizó de emergencia en Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas durante la noche del martes. La tripulación solicitó desvío urgente al centro de control Enaire por un pasajero enfermo. Tras realizar maniobras de espera al sur del aeropuerto para reducir peso, el avión aterrizó en la pista 32R sin problemas. Servicios médicos asistieron de inmediato. El proceso duró algo más de 30 minutos.

💸 Daniel Schwartz, Israel's Finance Minister, announced in the Knesset that the state won't compensate travelers affected by the 12-day war with Iran starting June 13. Between 100,000 to 150,000 travelers were stranded due to closed airspace. While the Economic Affairs Committee suggested covering some airline and traveler costs, Schwartz estimated compensation would cost hundreds of millions of shekels. Airlines like El Al, Arkia, and Israir are preparing legal actions as compensation was waived during wartime.

✈️ Wizz Air, facing losses since pre-pandemic times, suffered setbacks due to COVID-19, fuel price mismanagement, Pratt and Whitney engine issues, Middle East conflicts, and the Abu Dhabi venture failure. CEO József Váradi plans to shut the Abu Dhabi subsidiary and refocus on Eastern Europe, where Wizz Air holds 26-30% market share. Within two years, the company aims to regain profitability and simplify its routes, as its stock fell 4.6% this year, now worth one-third of its pre-pandemic value.

✈ Ryanair imposes a €117 fee for passengers arriving at the airport later than 40 minutes before takeoff, a costlier option than many flights. Applicable if late by no more than one hour and if there's a later flight on the same route. This fee allows rebooking, otherwise, rights to the original ticket are lost. Ryanair's average flight cost is lower than this fee, prompting criticism despite industry norms.

✈ Palma Airport braces for disruptions during the weekend starting Friday, August 15, due to handling workers' strikes. Azul Handling staff serving Ryanair will strike on August 15-17 and repeat on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until year-end. Menzies workers, serving EasyJet, British Airways, and Emirates, also plan August strikes, citing poor labor conditions. Groundforce employees protest against excessive workload and extra hours. Strikes may disrupt flights amidst high season and coincide with a national holiday.

✈ Volotea will operate routes in France vacated by Ryanair starting this winter, covering 25 connections left by the latter, including flights from Strasbourg to Agadir and Porto. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed Volotea will create 70 local jobs, unlike Ryanair. He dismissed tax reasons for Ryanair's capacity reduction, citing a lack of aircraft and criticized Ryanair's social and fiscal obligations.