Miguel Praga

✈ In September 2023, a Spanish cabin crew union, Sitcpla, represented by law firm Navas & Cusí, filed a complaint because the predominantly female (75%) cabin crew were excluded from a 1986 Royal Decree allowing pilots and mechanics early retirement. In December 2023, the complaint was admitted for proceedings. By late 2024, the Spanish government responded with its arguments. The European Commission's Gender Equality department is reviewing the case, with a decision expected between February and March, within a 10-week response time frame. Sitcpla is advocating for the inclusion of up to 8,000 women in the early retirement scheme for arduous and hazardous jobs, citing irregular hours, pressure changes, temperatures, and physical injuries as qualifying factors.

✈ Europe saw the addition of 1,356 new air routes in 2024, with Ryanair leading by testing 208 new routes and Easyjet following at 155. The third place was Norwegian with 62, and Wizz Air with 57. Typically, Ryanair aims to try up to 300 new routes annually, indicating that 2024 was not among its strongest years. Traditional airlines did not rank among the top 15 in terms of new routes.