Fusiones y Adquisiciones

✈ Ryanair aims to be the first airline to resume flights to Ukraine upon ceasefire agreement, targeting the cities of Kyiv and Lviv. CEO Michael O'Leary reveals readiness to reactivate air connections potentially within weeks. Plans include redirecting five aircraft from across Europe, with the possibility of flying from up to 25 cities, including the UK, to cater to around 14 million Ukrainians across Europe.

✈ China Airlines, Taiwan's leading airline, had an excellent year in 2024, resulting in a bonus for employees consisting of a fixed $4,276 (145,000 Taiwanese dollars) plus a variable 6.6 months of salary. The company also informed staff about a 3% salary increase. Other airlines like Eva Air and Starlux offer six and three months of salary as bonuses, respectively, with a 3% annual raise. Singapore Airlines and Emirates granted eight and five months of bonuses, highlighting a distinct cultural approach compared to Europe.

✈ HNA Aviation Group from China has shown interest in acquiring a stake in Air Europa, previously approached by IAG for 80% of shares. The deal with HNA would provide Air Europa a foothold in Europe, a goal pursued for over a decade. Air Europa, led by Javier Hidalgo, seeks to secure a partnership before summer to receive approximately €240 million through capital increase and a €235 million loan, aiming to repay a €475 million state bailout from SEPI. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are also contenders, eyeing over 20% stake, contrary to the Hidalgos' preference to retain majority control.

🛫 A Lufthansa Boeing 747, flying from Miami to Frankfurt, diverted to Montreal after a pilot became incapacitated at 35,000 feet. The aircraft changed course near Gander, Canada, with the second pilot taking over. Two flight attendants attended to the main pilot in the crew rest area. The plane released fuel before landing safely and remained in Canada for two days before proceeding to Frankfurt.

🏨 Aena to invest over €1,000 million in Canary Islands airports for modernization during 2027-2031, focusing on Tenerife Sur, Tenerife Norte, and Lanzarote. This "historic" investment exceeds the €300 million in the current DORA. Plans include integrating the island's two terminals, and projects will be drafted between the first half of the year and the end of the year to start tender procedures, with Tenerife Sur being the furthest along. Canarian President Fernando Clavijo and Aena chief Maurici Lucena view this venture positively, addressing the archipelago's call for more influence in airport-related decisions, aligning with the Autonomy Statute's provisions.

🏦 Italian travel group Alpitour, which includes a tour operator, an airline, and several hotels, was up for sale by the Tamburi family, who own over 60% of the company. Andrea Rubén Levi holds approximately 36%. Despite considering a sale due to pandemic struggles, a significant revenue increase to €2.1 billion in 2024 made the sale less urgent. Tamburi did not sell but instead acquired up to 95% of the company after Levi received an offer from shipping giant MSC.

✈ Lufthansa's partnership with ITA Airways is likened to an adoption, set to formalize on January 13. ITA's loyalty program with 2.7 million members merges with Lufthansa's Miles & More, which has 36 million, achieving near-total integration from March 30. ITA travelers gain access to Lufthansa's 130 VIP lounges worldwide this summer, with immediate operational integration in Frankfurt and Munich. Code-sharing commences shortly, alongside schedule coordination in Frankfurt and Munich, benefitting Lufthansa. ITA will exit SkyTeam, home to Air France, on April 30 and join Star Alliance, where Lufthansa is a leading member, by early 2026.

✈ In Mallorca, a seasoned aviation manager noted the industry's irregularity and instability, highlighted by events like pandemics, fuel price hikes, wars, or aircraft model issues, like those faced by Wizz Air. Investing €10,000 in an airline's stock five years ago would result in a 60% loss today, valued at less than €4,000. This is exemplified by Easyjet, a top-performing European airline with all planes operational, yet still exemplifying the sector's volatility with a 60% value loss over five years.

💸 In winter, among European short-haul airlines, Ryanair (over 500 planes) earns money, while Easyjet (300 planes) reduces losses to 61 million, half of last year's. Wizz Air (200 planes) reports shocking losses of 241 million euros in the last three months of 2024, over 2.5 million daily. This contrasts with a 105 million loss in the same period the previous year. Wizz Air's shares initially fell 16% but later recovered to 5% below pre-announcement levels. Analysts highlight 201 million lost due to currency changes, questioning CEO Jozsef Varadi's management amidst ongoing losses since the pandemic.

🛫 Air Europa seeks partners to settle a debt due in 2026 by selling 20% of the company, without giving up control. Family Hidalgo, owning 80%, wants €240 million from the sale and a €235 million loan to pay off €475 million SEPI debt. Air France-KLM and Lufthansa are interested buyers, with Société Générale and PJT Partners as advisors. Negotiations stalled due to the Hidalgos' refusal to relinquish majority ownership.