Divers

🚀 Fire services received an Embraer E195 from Binter and an Airbus A319 from Iberia last week at San Sebastián Airport. Despite no technical issues with the planes, authorities attended the landings due to potential impact from storm Herminia and low visibility. Both aircraft landed successfully on their first attempt, after which fire crews departed.

✈️ Captain George O'Hara, Ryanair's longest-serving pilot, was honored by Kerry Airport's fire brigade with a water salute after one of his final flights before retiring, celebrating his 39 years of service. The event included a cake and gifts presentation. The airport shared a heartfelt message wishing him joyful and peaceful retirement skies.

🛫 Madrid's Barajas Airport daily hosts around 500 homeless individuals, with similar issues at Barcelona and Palma airports. No substantial action has been taken by Aena or other institutions. Workers describe the airports as lawless zones with unchecked crime. Alternativa Sindical reports that homeless individuals misuse facilities and hinder passengers. Barcelona's El Prat Airport shelters around 100 homeless nightly, while Palma airport sees dozens, exacerbated by Mallorca's housing shortage. The responsibility to address the issue remains unclaimed by institutions.

✈ After nearly two years of negotiation, Plus Ultra's management signed the first collective agreement with Sepla for its approximately 100 pilots, valid for three years. The deal includes salary increases with different pay levels based on seniority and improvements in fixed and variable elements like flight hours, instruction time, etc. It also enhances stability in scheduling, addresses free tickets, days off, uniforms, paid leave, sabbaticals, and reduced hours, and introduces new criteria for internal promotion. Plus Ultra aims to negotiate next with cabin crew and ground staff.

🚑 An Easyjet Airbus A320 flying from Basel, Switzerland, to Lanzarote diverted to Madrid due to a medical emergency involving an 80-year-old passenger needing urgent care. Air traffic controllers facilitated a continuous descent and direct approach to runway 32L at Barajas, landing in under 20 minutes. Previously, on February 14, a tourist died on a Jet2 flight from Tenerife Sur to East Midlands, despite priority landing in Santiago de Compostela.

✈ Air Europa to commence direct flights from Madrid to Quito and Guayaquil on June 24, eliminating the current triangulated route. Three weekly flights to each Ecuadorian city, offering over 157,000 annual seats—an 8% increase from 2024. The decision follows a demand surge from Ecuadorian tourists, with passenger growth to Spain by 20% to Guayaquil and 11% to Quito. Partnership with Avianca for internal connections, including to Cuenca, Manta, and the Galápagos Islands. New routes served by Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with three more to join the fleet in 2025.

🚀 Iberia's Airbus A321 en route from Madrid to Rome-Fiumicino returned to Madrid due to a hydraulic system issue. The incident, which avoided closer airports like Barcelona or Palma de Mallorca, involved a two-hour flight covering roughly 1,400 kilometers, with the plane landing safely in Barajas without blocking the runway.

✈ KLM and Air France, being the same company, have distinct practices. KLM joins Air France's initiative of charging for food on board on Amsterdam to Lisbon, Porto, and Oslo routes as a trial. The test, running until April, offers economy class passengers free water, coffee, or tea with a waffle or paid menu options ranging from €2.50 for a KitKat to €6-7 for a sandwich. Business class continues to receive all services free. The decision to extend paid service across European routes will follow after the trial, a path Air France is also expected to take, while British Airways and Lufthansa already charge for food on short-haul flights.

💥 Endeavor Air (Delta Airlines subsidiary) CRJ-900 aircraft accident in Toronto after departing from Minneapolis with 76 passengers onboard; occurred at 02:15 pm local time on Monday, resulting in at least 19 hospitalized, 3 critically.

🚨 In Toronto, an Endeavor Air flight, a Delta Airlines subsidiary, with 76 passengers, overturned upon landing at 2:15 pm local time on Monday. At least 19 people were hospitalized, three in critical condition. The CRJ-900 aircraft came from Minneapolis and faced snowy, icy conditions. Two runways will remain closed for investigations over the "next few days".