Fusiones y Adquisiciones

✈ Russians are becoming accustomed to living in wartime, leading to an increase in travel. However, Russia's aerospace industry struggles with servicing aircraft in development due to sanctions. Despite this, Rossiya Airlines, part of Aeroflot Group, revived a Boeing 747 400 from storage to fly in the Sakhalin region. On August 30 and 31 and September 1, the airline conducted flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to transport vacationers. The aircraft, registration RA-73286 with a 522-passenger capacity in a single class, had been grounded for nearly two years since its last flight between Moscow and Sochi. Western sanctions on spare parts impact Russian aviation maintenance.

🚀 The Spanish Air Force has fully operationalized one of three A330s purchased from Iberia, after a major transformation into an A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport). This aircraft arrived at Getafe Aerodrome from Malta on September 2, where it was painted in low-visibility gray. Airbus Defence and Space acquired three A330s from IAG's Iberia in November 2021, including ground equipment for handling services, along with pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance technician training.

✈ Ryanair and other low-cost airlines are the most used in Europe and Spain, even on competitive routes like Madrid-Canaries, Madrid-Balearics, Madrid-London, and Madrid-Berlin. Despite complaints about poor service and high prices, these airlines are growing and have taken 50% of the market from legacy airlines over the past 20 years, with Ryanair becoming the leading airline in Spain.

🏠 Alterhome has partnered with Banco Sabadell to provide over €4 million in funding for the launch of 50 vacation rental franchises across Spain. This initiative aims to create over 600 direct jobs and support the professionalization of the Spanish tourism sector, which is the second-largest in Europe for short-stay rental bookings according to Eurostat. Financing options include commercial loans, renting, and credit policies to meet diverse franchisee needs. Chema González, CEO of Alterhome, highlights the importance of adapting to new regulations to ensure success in the evolving market.

🏦 Thomas Cook, after its 2019 bankruptcy, has been acquired by Polish group eSky from Fosun Tourism Group. The acquisition's cost is undisclosed, but CEO Alan French will continue to lead Thomas Cook, aiming to rebuild and grow the brand. eSky, with operations in over 50 countries and 800+ employees, reported over £18 million in profits in 2023, and this move aligns with their strategy to diversify from flight sales to vacation packages in Europe and Latin America.

📌 Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá and president of Exceltur, criticizes the Spanish government's distribution of Next Generation funds, and neglect of the tourism industry. Despite the sector's potential for modernization, the funds have favored government-friendly companies. Openchip & Software Technologies, with meager revenue, received €111 million and subsequently appointed Therese Jamaa, partner of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, as VP of Strategic Alliances. The appointment occurred one month after the fund's disbursement, although Openchip denies any influence from her relationship with Albares.

✈ Emirates' A380 thrilled rugby fans with a flypast over Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa during a match between the Springboks and the All Blacks. This echoes a similar event from 1995 when a Boeing 747 from SAA surprised spectators with one of the first commercial aircraft flypasts at a sports event, as shared by user @jordibatlle.

✈ Airmet celebrates its 25th anniversary with initiatives to boost its associated travel agencies, announcing a roadshow across Spain, including cities Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Sevilla, Málaga, Tenerife, and Las Palmas. The "Tour con Altura" aims to address the concerns and trends in the travel sector and reveal new offerings, with collaboration from renowned partners like Turismo de Andalucía, Amadeus, Bedsonline, Costa, Iberia, Intermundial, and W2M.

✈️ Noel Phillips, known as an 'aviation youtuber', shares weekly videos about unique airlines and services. Eastern Airlines, once a leading airline deregulated in the '80s and partly bought by Donald Trump, ceased operations and was forgotten until its brand was sold cheaply in 2009. In 2018, another company bought the brand and unusual routes like Guayaquil, Montevideo, and the Balkans were created, which led to losses. Today, Eastern operates mainly cargo flights but maintains a minimal passenger service with a monthly flight from Miami to Santo Domingo without advertising.

✈ Ryanair's Michael O'Leary urges a ban on selling more than two pints of beer per passenger at airports to curb 'record numbers of disruptive passengers,' often en route to Mediterranean destinations like Ibiza. Wetherspoon, the UK's largest pub chain present at many British airports, where alcohol accounts for a third of sales, counters the claim, highlighting their elimination of airport pub alcoholics and criticizing Ryanair's discounts on Irish whiskey. The public spat between O'Leary and Wetherspoon's controversial owner Tim Martin garners media attention during a slow news period.