Fusiones y Adquisiciones

✈ WestJet, a Canadian airline, purchased 60 Boeing 737 Max 10 and 7 Boeing 787-9, with options for 25 more 737s, increasing their total order to 123 aircraft. Starting in 1996 with three planes, WestJet now has 150 Boeing aircraft. This transaction occurs amid US-Canada trade tensions. Boeing's sales recovery follows setbacks from two B737 crashes. The recent deal with an Australian lessor for 30 737Max further boosts Boeing's optimism.

🏨 Eustasio López, owner of Lopesan, is negotiating to acquire the Bahía del Duque hotel, a prestigious beachside property in Tenerife. Despite his aggressive tactics, the Zamorano family, current owners, are open to selling but wary of López's terms, especially regarding the hotel's debt reduction. Rival banks and H10 chain showed interest but aren't proceeding further. López remains the frontrunner, yet the deal is not finalized, with key input from Zamorano family members, especially the eldest sister.

💻 September 1, 2025 – Beroni and Civitatis announce a collaboration. Beroni's Wasabi-s platform will now feature Civitatis' 95,000+ activities in 4,170 destinations. The platform, used by 20,000 daily users, already offers 15,000 experiences globally. Civitatis, trusted by over 45,000 travel agencies, simplifies booking with a B2B platform. This partnership enhances Beroni's offerings, allowing travel agencies to personalize and book diverse experiences worldwide efficiently.

✈️ Grupo Iberia achieved record numbers between June 27 and August 31, 2024, with 34,259 flights and over 6 million seats available. Of these, 4,560 were long-haul flights. From Madrid, 17,191 flights took off. In Latin America, seats increased by 4% to 3.2 million. Weekly, 140 flights were to the U.S., a 14% rise, totaling 1.1 million seats. Over 160 charter flights supported Mediterranean and European cruise connections. Top destinations included Barcelona and Mexico City.

✈ Lufthansa acquired 10% of Air Baltic, while the Latvian state retains 88.37%. Air Baltic's future public offering will reserve 25% for the government, with no set date. The capital increase uses convertible shares, funding minimal expansion. Air Baltic's 2024 losses were €118 million. The German competition authority approved Lufthansa's entry, with possible future control. The Latvian government ensures retaining a 25% stake.

✈️ Korean Air, March 2025: South Korea. Korean Air, primarily operating Boeing aircraft, announced the purchase of 103 additional Boeing planes, including 50 737 Max 10s, 25 Dreamliners, and 20 777Xs. This follows a previous order of 50 aircraft in March, comprising 30 Dreamliners and 20 777Xs. The acquisition aligns with Korean Air's fleet expansion post-Asiana Airlines merger, underscoring Boeing's market resilience despite certification pending for some models.

💸 Apollo Global Management is selling the Ocean House in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, for around €80 million. Initially acquired in 2020 and franchised to Meliá Hotels International, the hotel was rebranded in February 2023. It features 370+ rooms, five pools, and event spaces. Apollo's Spanish hotel portfolio, including properties in Mallorca, Tenerife, and Ibiza, is valued at approximately €300 million, aligning with their asset rotation strategy.

🛳️ Baleària, led by Adolfo Utor, has acquired Armas Trasmediterranea for €210 million, surpassing a local Canary Islands bid by over €50 million. This acquisition includes 15 ferries, 1,500 employees, and control of crucial routes between the Canary Islands, Alboran, and part of the Strait. Despite debt from JP Morgan, Barings, Cheyne Capital, and Bain Capital, Utor's political ties may face challenges if Spain's political landscape shifts, with competition authorities scrutinizing the process.

✈ Turkish Airlines will acquire 26% of Air Europa for €300 million. Juan José Hidalgo, President of Globalia and Air Europa, highlights the strategic partnership since Turkish Airlines expressed strong interest. The deal, expected to enhance Air Europa's growth through fleet synergies, includes Dreamliner 787s. Hidalgo affirms the acquisition will benefit Spain, the Balearics, and Europe's aviation sector, ensuring a solid, prosperous future for the Spanish airline.

🛫 Portugal, 2025: The government initiates a 60-day period for partial privatization of TAP, aiming to sell 49.9% of shares while retaining control. This move seeks to recover part of the €3.2 billion public funding. Potential buyers include IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM. The plan reserves 5% of shares for TAP employees, with a maximum timeline of one year divided into four phases, starting with non-binding offers.