Alex Cuenca

🌏 Fitur's 45th edition in Madrid from January 22-26, 2025, expects 250,000 visitors, a repeat of last year's count. Hosting 9,500 companies, 884 exhibitors, and representatives from 156 countries, it marks a 10% increase from the previous year, expanding to nine pavilions. The event anticipates a €445 million economic impact on Madrid, with eleven new countries participating, bringing the total to 101 official representations. Brazil, with a 13% visitor increase in 2024 to 6.6 million, is the Partner Country.

✈ Aena initiates a public tender for the technical assistance of the project for remodeling Alicante-Elche Airport with a budget of €19.8 million. The project includes terminal expansion, new commercial spaces, improved access, and increased energy efficiency but excludes a second runway. It aims to accommodate growing passenger demand, which is nearing capacity limits, especially during high season. Valencia Airport lacks a firm plan despite facing similar operational collapse risks. The Alicante project is part of the DORA III investments for 2027-2031, with Valencia's capacity nearly reached at 10.5 million passengers in 2024.

🛫 In the EU's updated air safety list, 129 airlines are banned, including 100 from 15 countries with insufficient safety standards. Notably, 22 Russian and seven from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Suriname, Iran, and Iraq have serious issues. Air Tanzania joins others like Air Zimbabwe and Avior Airlines facing restrictions. Air Koryo and Iran Air have model-specific limits. EU lifted bans on Pakistan's PIA and Airblue Limited, grounded since 2020, after they met safety criteria.