Divers

⚽ Simeone's behavior, regarding Vinicius Jr., has sparked controversy, reminding many of his reputation as a provocateur. Although known for his coaching at Atlético Madrid, in 2021, he was unexpectedly named a UNWTO ambassador by former Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili at Fitur. The decision, seemingly influenced by connections with Atlético's president Cerezo, has faced criticism for lacking genuine contributions to tourism, unlike figures like Del Bosque or Ancelotti.

🛩 Ryanair, November 2025, Faro, Portugal: A Boeing 737 operated four commercial flights after a hard landing on November 15, 2025, with a 1.69G force impact. Post-landing, it flew until November 16 without detecting damages, later identified as a pod strike on engine #2. Inspections failed due to the damage's location. Declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG) on November 17, and stayed grounded until November 22 for repairs. Ryanair plans to enhance post-landing inspection protocols.

🌴 Joan Trian Riu, director ejecutivo de Riu, discusses ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting the tourism sector in Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico due to Donald Trump's policies. Although a partial Caribbean airspace closure occurred during an operation in Venezuela, no cancellations have been reported. In 2025, despite a hurricane in Jamaica, European operations had a record year, while American operations were impacted by uncertainty. Expectations for 2026 reflect continued growth.

✈ Vueling, led by Carolina Martinoli, will present its "Rumbo 2035" plan on January 14 in Barcelona. The plan focuses on five pillars: fleet, network, passengers, profitability, and digitalization. Key change: transitioning from a 100% Airbus fleet to include 50 Boeing 737s, starting in October 2026. The current fleet has 130 Airbus A320s. IAG, Vueling's parent company, ordered the Boeings. Iberia, another IAG airline, announced a €6 billion expansion in June.

🛩 Un tragically fatal accident occurred at Gran Canaria Airport when a 20-year-old Groundforce employee collided with a parked vehicle. This unfortunate event happened soon after he began working with the company last November. Despite immediate medical assistance, he passed away in the hospital during surgery. Colleagues cite inadequate safety measures and staff shortages amid record traffic as ongoing concerns, contributing to high-pressure work conditions where safety protocols are often compromised.

🛫 Norwegian transported 1.75 million passengers in December. Despite celebratory press statements, investors reacted negatively, leading to a stock price dip on the Oslo exchange. The reason? Passenger numbers were lower compared to the previous December. While it's not catastrophic, it highlights the risks of overreliance on marketing spin. Norwegian's future plans remain on track, but this incident serves as a reminder of the ease of self-deception in corporate communications.

✈ Airlines from the UAE, Qatar, and Turkey have suspended flights to Iran due to widespread protests. Emirates and Flydubai canceled or delayed Tehran flights, suspending routes to Bandar Abbas, Lar, and Shiraz indefinitely. A Flydubai flight to Mashhad continues. Qatar Airways halted Doha-Tehran flights, and Turkish Airlines canceled three Istanbul-Iran routes. Protests against Iran's economic policies led to a complete internet blockade. Travellers can change flight dates without extra costs, though those in Iran face greater disruption.

🏨 Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena joins Hilton-SLH alliance in 2024. ???? Located in Valladolid's Ribera del Duero, this 5-star hotel is now on Hilton's direct sales channels, benefiting Hilton Honors members. The hotel maintains its independence and luxury identity, enhancing international visibility. Hilton and SLH, partnering since July 2024, integrated over 400 boutique hotels in their first year, reaching 500 by 2025. ???? The historic 12th-century monastery offers a premium traveler experience.

✈ British Airways and Aer Lingus aimed to expand from London and Manchester, respectively, to the U.S. and Caribbean. However, the plan failed, leading to 200 job losses. Flights to New York, Orlando, and Barbados from Manchester end on March 31. Despite announcing the base closure last year after a Manchester staff strike, Aer Lingus will continue operating the Manchester-Dublin route. Negotiations with unions are ongoing for a peaceful liquidation.

✈ Iberia, Air Europa, Plus Ultra, Laser, and Estelar suspended flights to Venezuela after the FAA's warning on November 22 about military risks. Five airlines operated 20 weekly Madrid-Caracas flights, transporting 7,000 passengers weekly. Iberia and Air Europa reassigned aircraft, while Plus Ultra rerouted passengers via Cartagena de Indias, increasing flights from 3 to 6 weekly. Potential resumption of normal operations is anticipated under Delcy Rodríguez's leadership in Venezuela.