Jurídicos y Administrativos

✈️ Víctor de Aldama implicated in Air Europa rescue, involving illicit payments during the pandemic. Aldama and Koldo García received €500,000 in cash, handed over in sports bags on three occasions outside Madrid. Key discussions on July 16, 2020, involved Pedro Sánchez, José Luis Ábalos, Nadia Calviño, and Javier Hidalgo, with further undisclosed corrupt activities hinted.

💸 French Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced the 2025 budget, introducing a significant tax increase on commercial aviation, aiming to raise an additional €1.8 billion in revenue. Of this, €1 billion will come from higher taxes on airplane tickets. Dubbed the "solidarity tax on airline tickets," its exact beneficiary remains unspecified. Plans for implementation are not yet detailed, but private business aviation may face up to €150 million of the proposed taxes. In France, 40% of a domestic plane ticket's price is currently tax.

💬 Víctor de Aldama, former advisor to Air Europa, used his connections to influence the Spanish government's rapid €475 million bailout for Air Europa. His collusion with 'Koldo' and José Luis Ábalos, Minister of Transport, was confirmed by the Civil Guard's Unit for Combating Organized Crime (UCO). Aldama, involved in corruption, also engaged in a hydrocarbon sector fraud exceeding €180 million and was arrested and held without bail.

💸 On July 16, 2020, Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, along with José Luis Ábalos and Nadia Calviño, discussed Air Europa's state aid. The same day, the president's wife, Begoña Gómez, secretly met with then-CEO Javier Hidalgo at Globalia's offices. Hours later, ex-Globalia advisor Víctor de Aldama and Hidalgo met Ábalos at the Ministry of Development. Air Europa's rescue by the government was confirmed two months before the Council of Ministers' approval on November 3, 2020.

💎 Starting on October 6, Imserso's travel program for pensioners initiated amid criticism for unequal sales start across regions like Asturias, Catalunya, Castilla la Mancha, and others. Despite organizational challenges preventing simultaneous sales, each community has a proportional quota. Complaints about insufficient slots and inaccessible best options at sales onset arose, but Imserso's director, Mayte Sancho, attributed it to excess demand over available spots.

💸 Key facts from the article include an investigation by the UCO revealing evidence of government involvement in the urgent rescue of Air Europa. Víctor de Aldama's intercepted mobile phone contains incriminating information. Juan José Hidalgo, as a precaution due to the scandal, has limited his travel from Spain, cancelling trips except for the inaugural flight to Santiago de los Caballeros. Globalia's spokespeople insist on no illegalities in SEPI's rescue, despite Aldama's phone suggesting otherwise. The judicial system is yet to decide on reopening the case against Air Europa while tension rises in Moncloa and the OMT.

💰 Víctor de Aldama, ex asesor de Air Europa, ordered to jail without bail by National Court Judge Santiago Pedraz for hydrocarbon fraud in the Koldo case. Co-conspirator Claudio Rivas to follow. Aldama arrested on October 7 for alleged €180 million fraud, involving companies set up with Rivas to sell fuel but closed to evade VAT. Same day it's revealed Aldama played a key role in securing a €475 million bailout for Air Europa, using his connection with former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos.

💰 On July 16, 2020, key meetings involving Spanish government officials and airline executives were held concerning a €475 million bailout for Air Europa. In attendance were Spain's President Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Economy Nadia Calviño, Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, and Air Europa's ex-advisor Víctor de Aldama, who allegedly used his connection with Ábalos to secure public funds for the struggling airline. The Guardia Civil claims that these discussions led to the SEPI taking charge of the funds instead of initial ICO credits, with the bailout being expedited the following week.

✈ A4E, a major European airline lobby, criticizes online travel agencies (OTAs) for the lack of transparency and deceptive practices. Syntesia's report reveals OTAs charge customers almost 25% more than airlines' direct sales channels. Consumers face hidden fees, often wrongly attributed to airlines, with OTAs selling services like SMS updates that airlines offer for free. Two OTAs hold 50% of Europe's business, and three GDSs control 95% of the market. Ourania Georgoutsakou of A4E warns this threatens the EU’s single market by disrupting fair competition.

🔎 Investigación sobre el posible trato de favor a Air Europa continúa, según la Audiencia Provincial de Madrid. Clave es el vínculo entre Javier Hidalgo y Begoña Gómez, esposa del presidente Pedro Sánchez. La documentación de rescate está en manos del juez Peinado, pero parte protegida con contraseña. Air Europa, perdiendo 6 millones de euros diarios, fue la primera aerolínea en recibir ayuda estatal, mientras otras esperaron hasta un año.