Jurídicos y Administrativos

✈️ Air Europa was granted a rescue package divided into payments of €240 million, €100 million, and €135 million after approval by the Council of Ministers. On July 30, the State Society for Industrial Participations (SEPI) delivered a 25-page report detailing the bailout, including additional documents in 12 folders, to the judiciary, encrypted due to confidentiality concerns. The handover coincided with President Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, being investigated for possible connections to the rescue, with her prior meetings with Globalia's ex-CEO Javier Hidalgo and a €40,000 annual contribution from Globalia to África Center, linked to Gómez. The case remains active, with potential expansion to include embezzlement and misappropriation charges.

🛈 Confederación Española de Agencias de Viajes (CEAV) opposes the traveler registration set to take effect on December 2. The opposition was expressed during the Jornadas Técnicas 2024 in Morocco, from October 2-5, with CEAV executives José Manuel Lastra and Mercedes Tejero present. CEAV, part of the Comisión de Turismo de la CEOE, is scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Interior. The organization seeks to exempt agencies from the decree, which is seen as creating security risks and potential legal uncertainty. The decree, Real Decreto 933/2021, is criticized for requiring excessive data, worried to deter key markets like the UK. CEAV urges for clear guidelines and a written statement of requirements. The annual meeting also highlights a partnership with Morocco's Tourism Office, aiming to increase Spanish tourists from 3 to 4 million.

✈ Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, criticized the European Union's policies, claiming they undercut the competitiveness of the continent's aviation due to environmental policies. The airline association emphasizes that European carriers compete in a global market and are disadvantaged by unique policies not applied to non-European airlines, making their rivals more cost-efficient and competitive. IATA notes signs of the European Commission understanding that unilateral policies erode competitiveness, as travelers can choose alternative airlines. The Draghi report is seen as introducing common sense by highlighting aviation's role in facilitating prosperity across other economic sectors.

🏖️ In Baleares, business leaders fear Yolanda Díaz's plan to reduce the workweek from 40 to 37.5 hours, worrying about the impact on the tourism-dependent region. Juan Miguel Ferrer of CAEB Restauración predicts a sector collapse due to higher operational costs, especially with current narrow profit margins due to inflation and rising food prices. Transportation sector, with existing driver shortages, could worsen under the change, according to FEBT president Rafael Roig. CAEB's Carmen Planas criticizes the proposal's lack of prior viability studies, while unions like UGT and CCOO support the initiative for worker wellbeing and productivity. The debate continues, affecting Baleares' tourism future.

✈️ In Spring 2022, the Spanish Supreme Court confirmed the illegality of an indefinite partial strike at Ryanair's La Rinconada, Sevilla maintenance hangar. The strike occurred from March 21 to April 21, 2022. It was deemed illegal primarily because the required legal notice was not given. Spanish International Aircraft Maintenance initiated legal action leading to this outcome. The CCOO union's appeal, which relied on an unofficial communication, was rejected as it lacked formal pre-strike notification.

📌 Víctor de Aldama, representing Globalia, met with Begoña Gómez before Delcy Rodríguez's arrival in Spain amidst negotiations concerning Air Europa's 200 million euro Venezuelan debt. This encounter took place at a World Tourism Organization meeting in Saint Petersburg. Aldama, who was hired by Globalia in September 2019 for 10,000 euros a month, aimed to leverage his contacts to reclaim the airline's funds. The meeting's timing aligns with Aldama's contract dates with Globalia.

🌍 In Portugal, Francisco Calheiros, president of the Confederation of Portuguese Tourism, comments on border collapses for non-Schengen travelers due to biometric identification requirements. Britain's tourism, crucial for Portugal, is impacted. Previously, border waits hit one hour without the new system. Portuguese government finalizes biometric control implementation, deemed essential by Antonio Leitao Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency. The system also affects Spain and will be operational in November.

🏨 Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, calls for a crackdown on illegal vacation rentals, unregulated tour guides, pirate taxis, and certain parties in Ibiza to combat destination overcrowding and enhance competitiveness. Speaking at CEDE-organized breakfasts and reported by Expansión, he warns that unregulated activities foster tourism-phobia and could have repercussions. Escarrer discusses the need for a strategy to increase spending by fewer tourists over time and addresses labor absenteeism in European hotel staff, highlighting a disconnect between rights and obligations. He also notes the Middle East conflict as an unintended opportunity for the Canary Islands, preferring competitive merit over others' misfortunes.

🏖 Ávoris targets consumer spending recovery after a weak last-minute summer sales season. Halcón Viajes and B travel, its major retail networks, emphasize installment payments in their campaigns, offering up to 12 installments for purchases up to €10,000, reserved 30+ days before departure. The strategy aligns with a spike in consumer loan applications in Spain, despite doubts about the promotions' effectiveness compared to Viajes El Corte Inglés' widespread interest-free financing.

✈ Iberia and Air Europa suspend flights to Tel Aviv until October 7 due to increased tension in the Middle East. Iberia extended the cancellation from September 24 and previously planned to resume on October 4. Air Europa also canceled flights from September 29 and will reassess daily. Lufthansa's suspension affects Tel Aviv flights until October 31 and Beirut until November 30. Air France and Transavia halt Beirut and Tel Aviv flights from Paris until at least October 8.