Fusiones y Adquisiciones

✈ Iberia launches direct flights from Madrid to Tokyo today, departing from T4 at Barajas at 11:55, landing at Narita at 10:45 on October 28. The Airbus A350 with 352 passengers marks Spain's only direct connection to Japan. The new route aims to expand Iberia's presence in Asia, following successful daily flights to Doha since December 2023. The Tokyo route is Iberia's longest at 14 hours eastbound, operating three times weekly, with plans to increase frequency in 2025 and offering 90,000 seats in the first year.

🏖️ Canarias expects a record-breaking tourist winter with a 13% increase in air seat programming compared to 2023, totaling 30.4 million seats despite recent social unrest. The Middle East war has diverted tourism from Israel and Turkey to Canarias, mirroring the boost received during the Arab Spring of 2010. Temperatures range from 22 to 15 degrees, attracting German and British tourists. However, recent protests saw a drop from 57,000 participants in April to just 6,500, signaling a decrease in anti-tourism sentiment. Tourism accounts for 60% of Canarias' GDP and employment. Concerns rise over potential negative media impact on Canarias' image as a tourist destination following the protests.

✈ Lilium, a German group listed on the New York Stock Exchange, is facing financial collapse with both subsidiaries, Llilum Oberpfaffenhofen and Lilium eAircraft, in debt and under administration. Founded in Baviera in 2015 with 500 aerospace engineers, Lilium experienced a postponed electric aircraft flight and aims to start deliveries in 2026 with 780 orders. Saudia ordered 100 units, a Florida airline bought 20, and Lufthansa secured agreements. Public subsidies from France and Germany have not materialized, impeding private investment, as a crucial €100 million from Germany failed to arrive.

✈️ Los trabajadores de Boeing rechazaron una oferta salarial con un incremento del 35% para un periodo de cuatro años, manteniendo la huelga iniciada el 13 de septiembre. En una votación, el 64% de los 33,000 empleados apoyaron continuar los paros. El personal de Seattle demanda un aumento de al menos 40%, argumentando que la oferta no cubre la inflación y el costo de vida. Boeing planea un recorte del 10% de su plantilla, equivalente a 17,000 empleos. Las pérdidas netas de la empresa se han triplicado en 2024 respecto al mismo periodo de 2023, alcanzando los 7,968 millones de dólares.

🛩 Iberia Mantenimiento has begun offering complete overhauls of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to address the crisis affecting hundreds of Airbus A320 aircraft. Operations will be conducted at La Muñoza, near Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport. The firm has increased its mechanics staff and equipped its test bench with specific adapters for the GTF model. Vueling, part of IAG with Iberia, will ground 29 A320 aircraft, a quarter of its fleet. Globally, approximately 650 A320 family aircraft will be grounded in early 2024, with an additional 350 expected yearly in 2025 and 2026.

💰 Víctor de Aldama claims Air Europa owes him €4.5 million for his key role as an intermediary between the airline and the Government to secure a €475 million rescue preventing airline bankruptcy. Negotiations started on July 8, 2020, and ended on October 27, 2020, days before the Council of Ministers' approval on November 3. Aldama, previously paid €10,000 per month by Air Europa, had a deal for €5 million if he managed to recover €200 million from the Venezuelan Government, which was not achieved.

✈ Asiana Airlines, South Korea's second-largest airline, now owned by Korean Air, will operate its Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft seating 495 passengers, on flights to Barcelona from March 2 to 7, 2023. This temporary switch from the more modern but smaller A350 is in concurrence with the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and ITB travel trade show in Berlin. Previously, Emirates also flew the A380 to Barcelona, extending its use past an initial three-month period earlier in the year.

🚀 Wamos Air joins Grupo Abra, maintaining its brand, teams, and operations after 21+ years in aircraft wet lease services. As a strategic investment, Wamos Air is consistent with Abra's consolidation strategy. Grupo Abra, featuring airlines Avianca and Gol, now operates over 300 aircraft, serves 130+ destinations in 25+ countries across America and Europe, and employs roughly 30,000 people. The integration supports Abra's aim to connect Latin America globally and sustainably.

💰 On August 8, Víctor de Aldama informed Javier Hidalgo about an upcoming government announcement regarding Air Europa's rescue, indicating a close relationship and inside information. The same day, the Spanish government made it public that Globalia was working with SEPI to finalize financial aid. Days prior, Aldama had prompted Hidalgo to coordinate with Pedro Saura for statements and mentioned receiving a draft of conditions by Friday.

📅 Grupo Barceló, a Spanish tourism giant, has attracted investor interest for the sale of its travel division Ávoris. Almost six years ago, a near-sale to New York fund Certares was thwarted at the last minute. Despite the pandemic, Barceló has been reluctant to sell, but rumors of negotiations for its airline division, formerly Evelop, have been firmly denied. Barceló, second in profits only to Riu, is focusing on expanding its profitable hotel business.