Fusiones y Adquisiciones

💻 HBX Group has acquired Canary Islands-based tech firm ThinkIN via its tech subsidiary Roiback, investing up to €2 million. This includes a new AI-powered omnichannel contact center for hotels. The integration offers 24/7 support in nine languages, promising to boost average ticket size by over 30% and increase sales by 15%. Roiback's Cristina Perea aims to be the most effective hotel partner, while ThinkIN's Alejandro Martín highlights scaling global tech innovation.

✈️ Juan José Hidalgo, president of Air Europa, revealed that Lufthansa's acquisition offer failed due to control issues. During the Nueva Economía Forum in Madrid, he stated, "As long as I live, no one but me will govern Air Europa." Hidalgo expressed satisfaction with the airline's current state, citing no debts and expansion plans for 7-8 new routes in 2026. He refuted claims of government rescue, asserting a $1 billion payment to the government between 2024-2025.

💰 Turkish Airlines has invested €300 million in Air Europa, aiding the airline's recovery from €1.4 billion losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding enabled Air Europa to repay the SEPI loan. Juan José Hidalgo, president of Globalia, stated Turkish Airlines anticipated interest from Lufthansa. British group IAG, owning 20% of Air Europa, also invested €300 million. At 85, Hidalgo emphasizes growth over profit and maintains that Air Europa is financially stable.

✈️ Vueling aims to expand its annual passenger count from 40 to 60 million by 2035, with a €5 billion investment over ten years. Focused on Barcelona, Vueling plans to renew its fleet, starting with 50 new Boeing 737s arriving in late 2026. Founded in Barcelona in 2004, Vueling currently leads the market with a 40% share and 60 aircraft at its hub. The airline aims for a 100% Boeing fleet in the future.

✈️ Air Europa plans 7 weekly flights between Barcelona and Istanbul, competing with Turkish Airlines, which offers 3-4 daily flights. Turkish Airlines acquired 26% of Air Europa for €300 million in November. Vueling, operating since late 2024, will increase from 7 to 13 weekly flights by summer 2026. Pegasus, allied with Iberia, offers 1-2 daily connections. The start date for Air Europa’s operation is pending regulatory approval.

✈ Aer Lingus will stop selling long-haul tickets from Manchester after March 31, 2025. Unite, the union, is urging a strike vote over fears of job losses. Over 200 jobs could be lost as routes to Barbados, New York, and Orlando cease. Despite Aer Lingus earning 135 million euros in spring 2025 alone, and projecting a 35 million euro profit from two Manchester-based planes, the closure looms. Workers will vote on October 26.

✈️ Alaska Airlines, in 2026, ordered 110 Boeing aircraft, including 105 of the yet-to-be-certified 737Max 10 and five 787 models. There are also 35 additional options. This is the airline's largest purchase ever, raising Boeing's stock value. Alaska Airlines, having acquired Hawaiian Airlines 18 months ago, now has 324 planes, with only 52 from Airbus. They await the delivery of 245 aircraft and have been loyal Boeing customers for 60 years.

🏠 Mazabi enters the Paris tourism market by acquiring an aparthotel near the Eiffel Tower, managed by Adagio, a joint venture of Pierre & Vacances and Accor. The property includes 19 tourist apartments in a 32-story building. This expansion follows Mazabi's recent New York debut, where they acquired 25% of the 607-room InterContinental New York Times Square, in partnership with Panghea Capital Partners.

🛫 British Airways is altering breakfast offerings for business class on eight domestic and European routes, replacing traditional English breakfast with fruit, yogurt, and pastries to simplify service. Affected routes include London to Belfast, Jersey, Manchester, Newcastle, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, and Paris. Following a successful test in September, this change accommodates shorter flights. Traditional English breakfast continues on longer routes. British Airways states this allows more crew-customer interaction.