Miguel Praga

✈️ Iberia and Air Europa launch a major discount campaign following their failed acquisition attempt, which was blocked by the European Commission. Air Europa’s “Time to Fly” offers flights starting at €12 within Spain, €29 to Europe, €179 to the USA, and €249 to the rest of the Americas, bookable until September 17, 2024, for travel until March 31, 2025, for short and intra-European flights, and until June 13, 2025, for long-haul. Iberia’s end-of-summer promotion includes Spanish city flights from €23, European capitals from €28, the USA from €184, Latin America from €242, and new Asian destinations like Doha and Tokyo from €358 and €366 respectively, valid for bookings until September 23, 2024, for travel until June 2025.

✈ TAP Air Portugal reported a strong second quarter in 2024, earning profits of €72 million, but their first-half gains amounted to just €0.4 million. Passenger numbers reached 7.7 million, with revenue nearly €2 million. Despite years of financial struggle, the airline is now in the process of being sold, showing improvement with increased liquidity and reduced debt under the new leadership of Luís Rodrigues. Rodrigues is focused on recovery, expanding into Brazil with a new destination, Florianópolis, and resuming flights to Caracas due to the significant Portuguese community. TAP serves a network of 10 airports in North America, 12 in Central and South America, 13 in Africa, and 39 in Europe.

📓 José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Development, is embroiled in a tense situation involving the PSOE, his party. He holds internal government information which could implicate business groups if he speaks out. Globalia, owner of Air Europa, is among those on alert, potentially affected by any revelations. Ábalos has distanced himself from the Hidalgos, owners of Air Europa, foregoing a dinner with Hidalgo Sr. before the Begoña case erupted.