Divers

✈ Wizz Air plans to establish a base at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, with operations starting in April 2026. The base will begin with three aircraft, offering up to 30 daily flights to Europe. Local airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia express concerns over potential economic impacts from Wizz Air's entry. Miri Regev, the Transport Minister, is negotiating with Wizz Air amid public dissatisfaction over existing high airfares, particularly from El Al.

✈️ Carlos Torres, co-founder of Air Europa, passed away after dedicating his life to aviation. In the 1980s, he was pivotal alongside Tomás Cano in launching the airline. Torres helped with hiring and training pilots for Boeing 737-300 and Boeing 757-200. Air Europa began operations in 1986, launched by six young entrepreneurs under the British ILG, before later coming under Juan José Hidalgo following ILG's collapse.

✈ Ryanair's withdrawal from regional airports in Valladolid, Jerez, Vigo, Santiago, Asturias, Santander, and Zaragoza is not being offset by airlines like Vueling or Volotea. Aena's failure to attract replacements highlights the need for incentives to operate profitably. Economies of scale allow Ryanair to offer competitive prices. Aena's reluctance to reduce fees is a key factor, alongside the need for more attractive tourism offerings. Political and business leaders must innovate to harness the region's tourism potential.

🛫 Mundiplan, a tour operator for travelers over 55, launches its 2025-2026 travel season, enhancing its partnership with W2M. Who? Senior tourists. When? Late September onwards. Where? Spain's coasts and international circuits including India, Egypt, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Istanbul. What? Trips of six days (five nights) from €230, international circuits from €1,100. How? By offering new destinations and potential cruise options. Nationally, it includes trips to Vigo and Málaga. This move follows Mundiplan's strategic collaboration with W2M.

✈️ Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Europa, and Vueling are in a price battle offering flights starting at €21 on various national and international routes. Iberia Express has deals to the Balearic Islands from €27, the Canary Islands from €32, and Europe from €30, valid until September 22. Air Europa's "Time to Fly" campaign offers similar prices until September 14. Vueling offers €25 flights valid from September 29 to December 14, active until August 31.

🛬 Ryanair's Michael O’Leary announced an increase in bag-check incentives for staff from €1.50 to €2.50 per bag, eliminating the previous €80 monthly cap. Ryanair enforces strict baggage size limits—40x30x20 cm for free bags and 55x40x20 cm for paid cabin bags. O’Leary claims only 0.1% of their 200 million passengers exceed limits. EasyJet offers €1.20 per bag incentive. Ryanair aims to maintain its position as Europe’s most efficient and affordable airline by enforcing these rules.

✈️ Air Europa responds to Iberia's aggressive sales campaign by launching its "Time To Fly" promotion. In long-haul flights, prices start at €187 for New York, identical to Iberia. Other destinations include Miami from €239 and Buenos Aires from €535. Short-haul fares start at €21 for Alicante. European destinations include Oporto from €25 and Amsterdam from €59. In Africa and the Middle East, prices begin at €29 for Marrakech and €137 for Tel Aviv.

🇮🇩 Indonesia, July 2: Spanish tourist Matilde Muñoz was allegedly murdered in her hotel room at Bumi Aditya, Lombok. The police investigation identified two suspects: a current and a former hotel employee. They reportedly stole 3 million rupiahs (€155) and failed to use Muñoz's debit card. Her body was concealed at the hotel for four days before being moved. Muñoz's phone, sold by a suspect, was recovered. The case continues, with more arrests possible.

✈ Frankfurt, September 2025: Lufthansa receives its first Boeing 787 from Seattle, marking the introduction of the new Allegris seats. This delivery is part of an order for 29 aircraft aimed to replace outdated A340s and B747s. Delays were caused by seat certification issues. The first 787 will begin operating mid-October on the Frankfurt-Toronto route, with nine more planes expected by year-end.

🗺 Pedro Fiol, president of Aviba, criticizes the reduction of Imserso tourism spots in the Baleares, decreasing from 886,269 to 879,213 for the season starting September. Fiol highlights the increased demand from healthier seniors and calls for more individual room options and staggered ticket sales. He notes that all spots in Baleares sell out within an hour. The Ministry of Tourism and contracted companies, including Pablo Bustinduy’s ministry, are not addressing these concerns.