Divers

🏨 Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, announces the sudden passing of his mother, Ana María Jaume, on an unspecified date. Nine months ago, his father, Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, also passed away. Ana María's dedication and support were crucial to the family and Meliá Hotels' success. Her values of simplicity, dedication, and generosity are celebrated by all who knew her and contributed significantly to the company's foundation.

✈️ Binter's 2024 net profit dropped 25% to €15.8 million, down from €21.2 million in 2023, due to increased costs from Pratt & Whitney engine availability issues. To compensate for grounded Embraer aircraft, Binter's spending on wet lease agreements surged from €14.7 million to €42.1 million. Despite these challenges in operations between Madrid and the Canary Islands, Binter remains optimistic about financial recovery in the coming year.

🛩 Southwest Airlines will require passengers who cannot fit between seat armrests to purchase an extra seat starting January 27. If flights aren't full, the second ticket cost will be reimbursed. Previously, larger passengers could request a free extra seat at check-in. Now, pre-purchase is mandatory, and refunds are uncertain. If the extra seat isn't bought in advance and the flight is full, a new flight will be assigned. Refund requests must be made within 90 days.

🌎 Cuba's tourism sector struggles in 2025, receiving fewer than 1 million tourists, a 25% drop from 2024's 1.3 million. June saw the lowest arrivals at 119,513, an 11.5% decrease. The hotel occupancy rate was 21.5%, down from 28.4% in 2024. Key factors include economic challenges, reduced flights, and U.S. sanctions. Spanish hotel chains maintain over 21,000 rooms. Despite a challenging environment, tourism groups like Ávoris continue promoting Cuba as a strategic destination.

🚄 Nox, una start-up en Berlín, planea lanzar trenes nocturnos en 2027, connecting over 100 European cities by 2035, such as Barcelona, Paris, and Rome. The project addresses the need for sustainable travel options, offering private cabins starting at €79. With cabins featuring foldable beds and workspaces, Nox targets both leisure and business travelers. Founders Janek Smalla and Thibauld Constant aim to enhance punctuality by focusing on routes between 500-1,500 km.

✈ Norse Atlantic, a low-cost airline, has been operational since 2022 without profits but broke even this year by leasing aircraft in India. From October 1, it will change flight plans, discontinuing routes like Los Angeles-Athens and Miami-London due to aircraft leasing. It will maintain flights on six routes, including London-Orlando and Athens-New York. Despite a 97% occupancy rate, financial struggles persist after three years in service.

✈️ Southwest Airlines, starting January 27, 2026, will charge obese passengers for a second seat if they cannot fit into one. This policy change affects the US, where 30% of the population is obese. Previously, the second seat was free. Southwest's decision follows its recent termination of free checked baggage, aligning with practices common in Europe. The move highlights the airline's shift towards increased cost-cutting and revenue generation, impacting its public image.

🏨 Ana María Jaume Vanrell, spouse of Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, passed away suddenly on August 26, 2025. Her death comes nine months after the passing of Meliá Hotels International's founder, deepening the family's loss. Ana María is fondly remembered by her six children, 20 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Meliá emphasizes her intuition, empathy, and generosity, which will be cherished by her family and the countless friends and collaborators she touched.

🚢 Royal Caribbean ofrecerá una bonificación de 40 euros a agencias de viajes por cada reserva de camarote, válida hasta el 19 de septiembre de 2025. Esta promoción celebra el exitoso verano, destacando el *Star of the Seas* desde Puerto Cañaveral. La comisión se aplica a reservas confirmadas en 14 días y excluye barcos en China. Sergio Arévalo, director de Ventas en España y Portugal, destaca el esfuerzo de las agencias.

✈ Air Europa is expanding in Switzerland. Starting June 2026, the airline will connect Madrid and Geneva with two weekly flights. This new route complements its existing Zurich service, which operates twice daily and carried nearly 250,000 passengers last year. The Geneva route expects an annual capacity of over 260,000, using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.