Divers

🛸 In Bilbao, Vueling pilots faced challenging landing conditions due to wind gusts reaching up to 160 kilometers per hour. Despite the disruption, their skills ensured a safe and incident-free touchdown.

✈ Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are interested in buying Air Europa, with meetings held in Palma and Madrid. Juan José Hidalgo, the major shareholder, wants to maintain majority control. Air France-KLM has hired Société Générale to bid for Air Europa, 80% owned by the Hidalgo family and 20% by Iberia's parent company. Javier Hidalgo aims to secure a deal in February, involving a €240 million capital increase and a €235 million loan to pay off Air Europa's €475 million debt to SEPI.

✈ Volotea, amid financial crisis, closes its hub at Athens Airport, affecting 80 direct jobs and potentially 450 more linked to hub providers. Operating for 6 years, the hub featured 2 aircraft in summer and 1 in winter. Aegean Airlines recently invested €100 million in Volotea, likely influencing the decision. Displaced workers may find opportunities as Sky Express expresses interest in hiring due to expansion needs.

✈ Ryanair met with Boeing in Seattle early January to expedite aircraft deliveries, essential for meeting its passenger traffic goals. With a current fleet of 609 planes, including 172 B737-8s, Ryanair's CEO Michael O´Leary stated delivery delays will impact expansion plans for fiscal 2026. Adjusting its 2026 forecast to 206 million customers (+3%), Ryanair expects the remaining 29 of 210 ordered aircraft by March 2026. Financially, Ryanair reported a Q3 net profit of €149 million, up from €15 million the previous year, with a 9% increase in traffic to 45 million passengers. Despite a 12% drop in accumulated profits over nine months to €1.94 billion, Ryanair is optimistic about reaching 300 million annual passengers in a decade. For summer 2025, Ryanair's capacity is nearly full, adding 164 new routes for a total of 2,600 across its network.

💸 On a United flight 613 from Lagos, Nigeria, six out of thirty-six injured passengers were hospitalized after an incident possibly due to technical issues. The Boeing 787 experienced severe shaking shortly after takeoff on Friday night, forcing a return to Lagos. United has initiated an investigation, while onboard video footage showed a chaotic scene with bloodstains. The affected passengers are now safe, some discharged from the hospital by Saturday.

🚀 A Ryanair Boeing 737Max experienced a tail strike during takeoff from Fuerteventura Airport. The crew, headed to London, redirected to Tenerife South Airport as a precaution, performing holding patterns to burn excess fuel. The incident was managed without further issues, with flight controllers coordinating a direct approach to runway 07 and halting other departures and arrivals during the event. The situation was resolved without further complications, and the aircraft safely landed and cleared the runway.

✈ ITA Airways, after starting operations in October 2021, doubled its fleet from 52 to 100 aircraft by 2025. With 60 new-generation planes, the airline achieved a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and significant emissions decrease. The fleet now includes 7 A321neo, 19 A320neo, 9 A220-300, 8 A220-100, 11 A330-900, and 6 A350-900. ITA Airways' winter 2024/2025 schedule boasts 55 destinations and the company reported a €1.4 billion turnover with a €62 million EBITDA in H1 2024, and €393 million in cash reserves. Integration into Lufthansa remains pending due to last-minute price disputes.

🌊 Lorena García Martín, 37, ex-flight attendant and English teacher, died while diving in Cueva del Agua, Cartagena. The accident happened during a dive with a companion who alerted authorities after her disappearance. Cueva del Agua, a complex underwater labyrinth of 7,000 meters, has seen at least five fatalities over the years. García Martín, from Murcia, transitioned from Qatar Airways cabin crew to teaching after passing teaching exams in 2020. Cartagena officials are now considering implementing stricter access regulations to the cave.

✈ Jesus Nuño de la Rosa, CEO of Air Europa, reveals the airline plans a capital increase with up to 20% new shares, aiming to close before summer. Conversations include "four or five airlines." Air Europa contracted PJT Partners for the capital increase, estimated at €240 million. Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Etihad, and Delta Airlines are top contenders. Afterward, they seek €235 million from banks to repay early a €475 million state bailout.

✈ Vueling will add five new aircraft to its fleet in 2025, expanding after a two-year growth halt. Three aircraft will be based at El Prat Airport to strengthen key routes and pursue international opportunities. The other two will enhance national and international connectivity at other Spanish airports. This fleet increase will add one million seats for sale in the summer season, totaling 27.2 million seats, a 6% increase from the previous year. Barcelona’s main base will see a 9.1% increase in seats, offering connections to over 90 destinations. The airline will also boost seats by 30.9% between the Peninsula and the Canary Islands, 7.1% between Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, and 13% more at Santiago Airport in northern Spain. Additionally, connections with the UK will grow by 16%, Italy by 13%, and Portugal and the UK both by 17%.