Fusiones y Adquisiciones

📺 Rafael García Garrido, CEO of Travel Live, is exploring a new venture in early 2025: a live TV platform for broadcasting bullfighting events. This initiative aims to extend Travel Live's entertainment offerings. Despite industry concerns, data from the recent Feria de San Isidro suggests TV exposure didn't reduce live attendance. García Garrido hints at televised coverage for the 2026 Feria de San Isidro, potentially even available for free, to enhance both national and international reach.

🛩 Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air, is under pressure for profits after a lack of earnings since before the pandemic. By shifting focus to Eastern Europe, including Romania, Montenegro, and Albania, profits rose 25.8% in the first half of 2023. Wizz Air exits Abu Dhabi and Vienna, opting for lower-cost bases like Bratislava and Tuzla. Fleet growth is paused until 2026, when a 20% seat capacity increase is planned.

📈 RateGain has acquired Sojern, an AI-driven digital marketing platform for the hotel sector, enhancing its global position. Together, they serve over 13,000 clients across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Bhanu Chopra, RateGain's founder, highlights the acquisition as a milestone for global expansion. Sojern CEO Mark Rabe sees opportunities for market growth and a unified AI platform. The collaboration aims for innovation and improved client results in a dynamic travel market.

🏨 Brookfield, a Canadian fund, is selling a 4-star hotel in Benalmádena, Costa del Sol, for €80 million. Acquired in 2022 for over €40 million, the hotel, now called Benalma Costa del Sol, features 336 rooms, 7 restaurants, bars, two pools, and a wellness area. Selenta Group, purchased by Brookfield in 2021 for €440 million, manages the hotel. The property, originally opened by Palladium in 2019, is brokered by JLL.

✈️ Iberojet, November 2025, sold one of its five Airbus A330s. The 14-year-old A330-300, registered as EC-OOI, joined Plus Ultra, boosting its fleet to seven A330s. Iberojet's decision was due to the aircraft's lower capacity of 299 seats compared to over 380 in other A330s. Now, Iberojet has four A330s, two A350s, and one A320. Plus Ultra aims to add four A330s by 2027 and plans to expand routes, including Buenos Aires from May 2026.

📈 Hasta finales de noviembre, el gobierno portugués estableció el plazo para los interesados en adquirir TAP, la aerolínea de Portugal, a presentar su interés. Air France KLM, Lufthansa e IAG están en la contienda. Las propuestas se deben presentar a Parpública, el organismo estatal de Portugal. El primer ministro planea vender hasta un 50% de la aerolínea debido al equilibrio político. Benjamin Smith de Air France indicó que se esperan avances en dos meses.

🚀 Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG, stated on Thursday that Turkish Airlines' 26% stake in Air Europa, finalized yesterday, won't change IAG's strategy. This €300 million deal includes a capital increase. IAG will maintain its 20% stake, injecting €55 million to do so. The alliance enhances Air Europa's fleet and operational synergies, aiming to bolster Madrid-Barajas as a hub between Europe and Latin America. IAG and Turkish plan to continue competing on key routes.

✈ Plus Ultra, in the first nine months of 2025, hit €157M in revenue, a 19% rise from 2024. Sales surged 45%, with flight hours up by 16% to over 15,000. Rotations grew 8%, maintaining an occupancy above 90%. Charter and ACMI operations rose 27%. Key partnerships include Air Algérie and seasonal routes to the Caribbean and South America. CEO Roberto Roselli credits these results to fleet expansion, now adding a seventh Airbus A330, and increased destination frequency.

✈️ Michael O'Leary, born on March 20, 1961, in Mullingar, Ireland, is the CEO of Ryanair, Europe's leading airline. Ryanair transports over 182 million passengers with a fleet exceeding 650 planes. O'Leary's strategic study of Southwest Airlines in the U.S., after being hired by Tony Ryan of Guinness Peat Aviation, played a key role in his success. Despite his controversial style, he’s noted for his sense of humor.

✈ Qatar Airways, in November 2025, announced its exit from Cathay Pacific by selling its 9.6% stake for €778 million ($896 million). This ends an eight-year investment started in 2017 at $662 million. Cathay Pacific will buy back shares at $1.4 per share, pending approval. Swire Pacific and Air China will increase their ownership to 47.7% and 37.8% respectively. Despite the sale, Qatar and Cathay will continue their partnership via codeshare agreements within the Oneworld alliance.