Jurídicos y Administrativos

🕵 Juan José Hidalgo, founder of Globalia, expressed distrust towards intermediary Víctor de Aldama as early as May, July, and September prior to their business separation in 2022. Hidalgo warned others about Aldama, dubbing him a "swindler" during a hunting event in Toledo province, concerning a fraudulent hydrocarbons scheme. The Objective details these events, including Hidalgo's insistence on daily breakfast meetings during state bailout negotiations for Air Europa. Claudio Rivas considered breaking ties with Aldama after the warning but maintained their hydrocarbons business connection.

✈ Global aviation expects 5 billion passengers and a turnover of one trillion euros next year, signaling that Amsterdam and Dublin's environmental impacts are relatively small on a worldwide scale. Despite pioneering efforts, Europe's influence on sustainable aviation is deemed minimal compared to the unchecked growth in emerging countries. A profound public indifference towards pollution control persists, even as nearly 60% of the world's population is flying, with no signs of a trend change.

💰 José Luis Ábalos, Spain's former Minister of Development, remained silent during his Supreme Court testimony a few days ago, refusing to answer 300 questions, including those about Air Europa's quick rescue involving Aldama, who is accused of corruption by the UCO and was on Air Europa's payroll. Ábalos' connection to Aldama includes a birthday party organization and covering his girlfriend's Madrid apartment rent, while Aldama also paid for Ábalos' Cádiz summer house rental and nearly bought him a €2 million Madrid apartment.

✈ The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs imposed a fine of 179 million euros on low-cost airlines for their hand luggage policy, which was contested by the socialist ministers due to concerns about the interpretation of Article 97 of the Air Navigation Law and potential non-compliance with European regulation 1008/2008 on pricing freedom. The fine's certainty is in question, with the State Attorney's Office offering a cautious opinion amid past legal precedents favoring airlines.

🚄 Trenitalia, SBB, and RegioJet top the European train rankings, with Renfe in seventh and Eurostar last, according to environmental group T&E. Ranking factors include ticket prices (25%), special rates/discounts (15%), and reliability (15%). Renfe scores 6.4 overall, with over 8 in tariffs/discounts and traveler experience, and over 7 in reliability and compensation policies. Eurostar charges almost double the European train ticket average. Only 11 of 27 operators have punctuality over 80%. The T&E ranking aims to drive improvements across Europe's rail services, which currently do not meet passenger expectations, with only 59% EU satisfaction in punctuality and reliability.

🚀 Lufthansa, the first European airline to challenge political correctness, addressed a letter to the European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen criticizing three EU policies: eco-friendliness, market openness, and the Russian boycott. They argue the EU-Qatar open skies agreement unfairly benefits Qatar, SAF fuels are six times more expensive without adequate supply, and the Russian airspace ban hinders competition as rerouting through Iran is costlier and lengthier.

🔎 Ex-commissioner of the National Police Pedro Agudo Novo advocates in El Español for increased tourist checks during hotel check-ins, citing crime prevention benefits like countering money laundering, human trafficking, and terrorism. The measures aim to enhance transparency in the tourism sector and international police cooperation, with data collection facilitating transnational investigations. Agudo highlights the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring data protection through solid cybersecurity measures.

🏠 Riu, the Spanish hotel chain, ended its legal dispute with the Ministry of Finance over a tax deduction claimed on Corporate Tax for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009, deciding not to appeal a November 2022 court ruling. The contention arose from a 5.8 million euro capital gain obtained from selling a property in Chipiona, bought in 2004 and sold in 2006. The court determined the property was not part of Riu's fixed assets, which would have qualified for the fiscal benefit. The sale yielded a roughly 40% return in just two years.

🚨 PSOE and Sumar clash over sustainable mobility law, with Sumar's leader Yolanda Díaz suggesting tax increases for airlines and cruises to match public transport's VAT. The Spanish government must pass this law by year-end to access European recovery funds. The proposal could raise VAT to 10% and significantly increase costs for international flights and cruises, currently exempt. Sumar opposes major airport expansions in Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat, labeling them economically and ecologically unsound, while advocating to reduce bus routes from 77 to 22.

🏥 Ana Maria Jaume, now owns 54.8% of voting rights in Meliá Hotels International after her husband Gabriel Escarrer's death on November 26. Control is through Hoteles Mallorquines Consolidados (24.365%), Hoteles Mallorquines Agrupados (11.290%), Hoteles Mallorquines Asociados (13.763%), and Tulipa Inversiones 2018 (5.388%). A family pact from October 2018 remains in effect, requiring an 80% majority for critical decisions for five years post-Escarrer's death, ensuring stability during succession.