Juan Mestre

🛫 On August 31, 2020, Víctor de Aldama threatened Koldo García to secure Air Europa's rescue, with the airline facing a default threat from a plane supplier. Intercepted messages by the Civil Guard reveal Aldama pressured García to avoid the company's 6 million euros daily losses. Aldama sought a meeting with Minister José Luis Ábalos and others to discuss the urgent need for rescue funds.

✈️ The European justice endorsed the bailout of Air Europa, a family-owned airline by the Hidalgo family. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez justified the €475 million aid, highlighting only two airline rescues were legal post-pandemic: Alitalia and Air Europa. He emphasized strict loan conditions, with repayments already being made to Spain. Sánchez denied any favoritism or corruption behind the decision, which was also backed by the EU and European Court of Justice. The opposition alleged favoritism due to Víctor de Aldama's involvement, but Sánchez reiterated the lack of irregularities.

🛫 Javier Hidalgo and broker Víctor de Aldama visited José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport, at his Marbella luxury villa in August 2020 amid Air Europa's negotiations for a bailout to prevent bankruptcy. The visit confirmed Ábalos's satisfaction with the accommodations, provided during a three-week stay, enhanced by a lavish dinner for 12, complete with seafood, meat, and sushi. Subsequently, Air Europa secured a €475 million rescue in November 2020.

💰 The UCO delivered new evidence to the judge regarding the Air Europa bailout negotiations by Aldama with government connections, as reported by Vozpópuli. Conversations from mid-July 2020 reveal meetings with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and then Economy Minister Nadia Calviño focused on rescuing the airline. Key discussions involved Víctor de Aldama and Koldo García, with the bailout amounting to €475 million. Details were consistently relayed to Javier Hidalgo, culminating in a congratulatory message in September.

✈ Air Europa was granted a €475 million rescue by SEPI in November 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic crisis. Wamos had to wait until February 2022 for public aid, while Room Mate received no assistance. The tourism sector was a major beneficiary of SEPI's Solvency Support Fund, with about 20 companies rescued. However, with over €2 billion unused, SEPI rejected around 20 requests totaling €847.3 million. Notable rejections included Room Mate's €52 million and Naviera Armas' €125 million requests. Ávoris and Hotusa were prioritized, receiving €320 million and €241 million, respectively. Airline rescues included €200 million for Volotea, €111 million for Air Nostrum, and €85 million for Wamos. The sector received approximately €1.7 billion in total, with Air Europa receiving the largest aid, revealed by a Guardia Civil investigation into corruption.

🚀 Inaugurated in 2008, the Ciudad Real Airport cost €450 million and planned as a Madrid-Barajas alternative; it ceased commercial flights in 2012 and now owes €6 million in taxes. Castellón Airport, opened in 2011 with €150 million public investment, saw only 300,000 passengers in 2023. Lleida Airport, inaugurated in 2010 with €90 million investment, had just 31,000 passengers in 2023, now serves as a pilot training center. Córdoba Airport, running since 1958, had 651 passengers in September and relies on aviation schools. Huesca Airport, costing €40 million, served only 276 passengers in the last year. Teruel Airport, jointly developed by the city and Aragon Government, thrives as a global aircraft parking and dismantling hub.

✈ Aldama, a broker, had a deal for a €10,000 monthly salary over two years to assist Air Europa in securing a bailout. The first payment of €60,000 was made in April 2020, followed by €12,000 in May and the same in June. However, payments were halted for months when the airline faced no assurance of the rescue. Aldama expedited negotiations with the government when Air Europa froze payments. The Guardia Civil's investigation linked the timing of Aldama's government contacts to his payment schedule from Air Europa.