Jurídicos y Administrativos

✈️ The European justice endorsed the bailout of Air Europa, a family-owned airline by the Hidalgo family. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez justified the €475 million aid, highlighting only two airline rescues were legal post-pandemic: Alitalia and Air Europa. He emphasized strict loan conditions, with repayments already being made to Spain. Sánchez denied any favoritism or corruption behind the decision, which was also backed by the EU and European Court of Justice. The opposition alleged favoritism due to Víctor de Aldama's involvement, but Sánchez reiterated the lack of irregularities.

🎭 Leading Spanish management groups express discontent with the proliferation of senior programs supported by autonomous communities, citing reduced profitability from distributing these products. At the UNAV forum in Antequera, the general managers of Nego, Avasa, and Dit Gestión highlighted the negative impact of such programs on the sector's earnings, with profitability dropping from 15-18% to 8-10%. They criticize the sale of products valued at €2,000 for €1,600 and advocate for stricter regulations and higher pricing strategies. Despite the critique, some defend these programs for promoting off-season consumption and viewing them as supplementary income for agencies.

💸 The Spanish business sector calls for suspension of the data registry imposed by Royal Decree 933/2021, set to launch on December 2, requiring travel agencies to submit 54 to 63 personal data points per reservation. The Congress majority opposes the decree, with the PNL recently approved, bolstering negotiations with the Interior Ministry. Sector organizations, including CEOE and the Tourism Board, align against the decree, urging for an urgent extension to facilitate dialogue and develop limiting ministerial orders.

🌊 Red Sea cruises were halted in October 2023 due to the outbreak of war in Israel. Shipping companies, upon inquiry by HOSTELTUR several months later, projected a return in November 2024. However, with the approach of the date and ongoing aggression towards ships in the region, the situation has worsened. Approximately 240 Houthi rebel attacks in Yemen have cut maritime traffic by 75% over the past year. As a result, numerous vessels, including cruise ships, now reroute around Africa, leading to silence and discouragement among cruise operators regarding the short to medium-term prospects in the Red Sea. If the conflict ended today, the earliest potential resumption of Red Sea cruises would be 2026, factoring in at least one year for docking contracts and additional time for route planning and operations.

🚩 Pedro Sánchez, Spanish Prime Minister, avoided questions about contact with Koldo plot middleman Víctor de Aldama in Faro, Portugal. Despite not being prompted about Air Europa, he detailed its rescue, justifying it as beneficial for Spain's mobility and general interest. National Court Judge Ismael Moreno requests the Supreme Court to charge ex-Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos for his key role in the Koldo case, involving Air Europa's rescue and connections with Sánchez, referred to as "the 1" in intercepted conversations.

🛈 El Congreso de España aprobó parte de una proposición no de ley del PP el 2 de diciembre, con 177 votos a favor y 160 en contra, para posponer la entrada en vigor de un real decreto que obliga a recopilar datos de turistas. Se excluyen los viajes corporativos y grupos, recibiendo 178 y 179 votos a favor respectivamente. Las agencias de viaje aún no han sido excluidas. Se pide un nuevo diálogo con el sector turístico hasta alcanzar un consenso, sin aplicar sanciones.

💳 The Spanish Congress approved a Non-Law Proposal (PNL) by the Popular Party to indefinitely suspend Royal Decree 933/2021 which mandates travel agencies, hoteliers, and car rental companies to collect sensitive customer data. The vote, conducted by roll call, received majority support from PP, Mixed Group, BNG, PNV, Junts, and Vox, with PSOE, Sumar, and ERC dissenting. Though non-binding, the approval signals widespread opposition to the measure, set to take effect on December 2. The controversial decree requires hotels to record 43 customer data points, up from 14 previously required.

📅 La Audiencia Nacional implica al presidente del Gobierno, Pedro Sánchez, y al exministro José Luis Ábalos en gestiones del rescate financiero de Air Europa. Una reunión clave el 16 de julio de 2020, involucrando a Sánchez, Nadia Calviño y Ábalos, señala posibles delitos de tráfico de influencias. Sánchez defiende el rescate, valorado en 475 millones de euros, formalizado por el Consejo de Ministros el 3 de noviembre de 2020, como esencial para evitar la quiebra de la aerolínea.

💰 In Castilla y León, travel agencies are challenging the Club de los 60 program for 2025, similar to the Imserso (subsidized trips for seniors). FECLAV claims large groups, not paying taxes locally, dominate the program. Ávoris won 18 of 30 lots via Halcón Viajes and B travel; Viajes El Corte Inglés got three. Over 90% of local agencies excluded, risking a loss of over 25 million euros and local jobs. FECLAV urges the Consejería de Servicios Sociales to reconsider contest conditions to support local SMEs and reduce required guarantees.

🛫 Javier Hidalgo and broker Víctor de Aldama visited José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport, at his Marbella luxury villa in August 2020 amid Air Europa's negotiations for a bailout to prevent bankruptcy. The visit confirmed Ábalos's satisfaction with the accommodations, provided during a three-week stay, enhanced by a lavish dinner for 12, complete with seafood, meat, and sushi. Subsequently, Air Europa secured a €475 million rescue in November 2020.