Miguel Praga

🚨 Spanish citizen kidnapped by the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara in southern Algeria, as confirmed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Initially believed to be a woman, the victim is confirmed to be a male. The kidnapping possibly occurred Thursday afternoon, with the ministry starting work on the case on Friday. The victim, part of a group that was later freed, was taken near the Mali border. Algeria had closed this region to tourism due to radicalism but reopened it two years ago after deeming it pacified. Prior incidents include an Austrian tourist's kidnapping and a Swiss citizen's murder.

✈ Aena accuses Ryanair of seeking to use Spanish airports for free, endangering the financial viability of Spain's airport system. The dispute involves Aena's investment in airports versus Ryanair's aircraft purchases. Aena asserts its support for over 150 airlines operating in Spain, citing record air traffic in 2023 and 2024. Aena commits to maintaining connectivity despite Ryanair's strategies, which are seen as short-term and incompatible with future demand.

💰 Viajes El Corte Inglés proposes a reorganization plan, potentially moving up to 520 workers to the commercial network from central services, business travel, and MICE, while offering early retirement to 118 employees. The plan aims to reduce staff in oversized areas and strengthen vacation sector due to hiring difficulties. Negotiations with unions began, with the next meeting scheduled for January 21, and a 15-day deadline for agreement, extendable if agreed. This follows a February 2022 agreement for a maximum of 475 employee layoffs post-pandemic.

✈ Ryanair criticizes Aena for deceiving about fees, ignoring DGAC's 2021 resolution to freeze tariffs for five years. CNMC intervention keeps fees frozen in 2025, yet above DGAC's planned rates. Ryanair highlights Valladolid's passenger fees as higher than those at more efficient airports in Italy and Poland. Ryanair claims Aena's statement that they pay €2 per passenger at any Spanish regional airport is false. No new Ryanair bases in Spain since 2016 due to high fees; contrasts 8 million passengers in Málaga with zero in Granada. On December 13, 2024, Minister Puente acknowledged the failure of Aena's incentive schemes to increase regional traffic. Ryanair urges the Spanish government to break Aena's monopoly and let regional authorities manage airports to boost traffic, tourism, and employment.