Miguel Praga

📌 Four years ago, Simón Pedro Barceló led a campaign against Jorge Marichal's election as the president of Spain's hotel association, reported by Preferente and other media. Despite Carmen Riu's initial neutrality, she supported Barceló in a Baleares Chains Group vote over Marichal's candidacy. Barceló's opposition cited Marichal's tax offense, drawing support from the CEOE and a regional patronal president from La Rioja. Media outlets including Cinco Días sided with Barceló, while Gabriel Escarrer of Meliá and Exceltur, along with lower-ranked colleagues, supported Marichal, noting his cleared debt with the Tax Agency. Iberostar's Miguel Fluxá abstained. Marichal eventually won the presidency with significant backing but later faced criticism for lack of empathy and achievements, betraying some supporters.

✈️ Norwegian Air, amidst a brutal crisis, sold and then leased back Boeing 737s from its short-haul fleet. Geir Karlsen, CEO, announced the repurchase of ten 737s for cost savings and flexibility. In March, the buyback will be funded by the airline's cash surplus, saving $18 million annually on leasing. Currently, Norwegian operates 89 aircraft, all B737s, across two companies; only five are not leased.