Miguel Praga

🛫 Lufthansa was expected to make a second payment of €325 million for 41% of ITA's shares. The German company argued for a reduction between €50-200 million due to worse-than-expected market conditions. Italy insists on the original price, citing better performance by ITA since last summer. The Italian government will retain 59% ownership, raising concerns about the management relationship without mutual trust.

✈️ Iberojet, owned by Ávoris, will negotiate its first collective bargaining agreement with pilot union Sepla, which has been acknowledged as the legitimate representative for pilots. The negotiation table has been set, aiming to enhance employment conditions for pilots.

✈️ Vueling's pilots in Spain, represented by Sepla, ratified a pre-agreement for the IV Collective Agreement with a 77.7% approval and 90.2% turnout. The agreement, effective upon ratification, builds on the current agreement set to expire on December 31, 2024, and includes economic, labor, professional development, and social benefits. The pact aims for a balanced model that shares the company's success with employees.

🛈 Ávoris, along with Viajes el Corte Inglés, IAG7, and Nautalia, are under investigation by Spain's CNMC for suspicions regarding their participation in a public tender for a centralized travel service contract for the State Administration. The investigation, which began officially in December 2023, could result in fines up to 10% of the companies' total turnover if found liable. The CNMC's resolution is expected by late 2025, a maximum of 24 months from the start of the investigation. Meanwhile, Ávoris has not set aside provisions for potential penalties, considering the risks "not probable," and maintains the investigation does not prejudge the outcome.

🏖️ ECTAA, the major European travel agency lobby, warns against the potential modification of the Package Travel Directive. Proposed changes include intermediaries refunding cancellations within 14 days, while providers must refund agencies in 7 days. ECTAA finds this unrealistic as providers often fail to meet these deadlines. President Frank Oostdam states the regulations are nearly impossible to implement and could harm indirect distribution channels to the detriment of consumers. ECTAA also fears misuse of customer data by transport operators and opposes limiting deposits to 25% of the total amount, payable no later than 28 days before the trip.