Jurídicos y Administrativos

✈ Air Belgium faced a critical deadline in early October to restructure its finances to avoid bankruptcy, needing €18 million. Failing to secure funds, the semi-public airline petitioned for partial bankruptcy, halting passenger services while seeking an investor. A judge ordered compulsory liquidation, giving four months to find a buyer or dissolve. Eleven thousand passengers, primarily flying to or from Africa, lost their tickets and money. The airline operates seven long-haul aircraft, all leased, with some permanently grounded. The ACMI business, leasing aircraft with crew to other airlines, may survive.

✈ Leticia Lauffer, former director at Wakalua, testified on August 26 about her close relationship with Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, during the investigation into Gómez for alleged influence trafficking and corruption. Lauffer directed Wakalua from May 2019 to June 2023 and detailed her connections within the investigation led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, Juzgado de Instrucción nº 41, Madrid, regarding Gómez's interactions with Javier Hidalgo amidst negotiations for a state rescue of Air Europa.

🔒 In Spain, the Data Protection Law meant to increase privacy has led to many problems without actually enhancing privacy. The law requires hotels and agencies to collect excessive information which the government already has through individuals' DNI (national ID). The Interior Ministry adds another layer of information, despite similar security levels in countries like the UK, which does not have an ID document system. Additionally, there are concerns about the misuse of the vast amount of data the government holds.

🏖️ Imserso provides 886,269 spots for 4 million qualified pensioners, which is less than one for every four individuals. Agencies can reserve up to 10 places at a time starting from the hour sales open, with necessary correct DNI entry for each person. Viajes El Corte Inglés and Ávoris brands (Halcón Viajes and B travel) aim to streamline the booking process by gathering pensioner information in advance. Sales open at 9:00 AM, or 8:00 AM for the Canary Islands.

🚀 A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 from Hong Kong experienced a serious incident involving a fire alarm in one engine shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing. The Rolls Royce XWB97 engine was affected. Investigations revealed two fuel distribution hoses inside the plane were punctured. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandated airlines using this engine to perform visual inspections of these hoses, though the issue was not deemed urgent and was suspected to be related to Cathay's specific engine cleaning procedures. Cathay Pacific temporarily grounded its fleet but has since resumed normal flight operations.

🏖️ Viajes El Corte Inglés targets over 60s with a special campaign "Te mereces viajar sí o sí," offering national and international destinations with economic pricing, immediate availability, and customization. Ahead of Imserso travel sales starting on Monday, September 23, they promote a €30 discount per person for a second trip and 20% off selected luggage. Destinations include the French Basque Country, Picos de Europa, Costa del Sol starting at €170 for a 6-day trip, and international spots like Egypt and Italy.

🏖 In Mallorca, the Consell has started requesting the closure of illegal tourist homes, following an emergency housing decree from a year ago by Marga Prohens' administration. Since October 2023, inspectors have had the authority to order temporary closures pending appeals. No detailed report yet from Tourism Councilor José Marcial Rodríguez, expected next month. The process, criticized for not being immediate, is under scrutiny for ensuring owners' rights before property closure.

🏨 Spanish hoteliers are set to take Booking to court following a European Union Court of Justice ruling stating OTA's parity clauses aren't "necessary" or "proportionate." The move comes after an August penalty by CNMC imposing a €413 million fine. The Spanish Hotel Directors Association (AEDH) and law firm Eskariam plan a class-action lawsuit involving around 10,000 establishments. The legal process is expected to be slow due to evidence collection and pending an appeal by Booking at the National High Court.

🏦 Since March, Cryptospain, led by Álvaro Romillo - an expert in tax evasion, has controlled Globalia's 150-suite apart-hotel in Bávaro's El Cortecito area, undergoing extensive renovations due to its previous neglect. Despite concerns from employees about Cryptospain's closed profiles and presumed legal investigations for defrauding investors with bitcoin schemes, the company has also purchased a villa in Cap Cana and leased commercial space near Ikea for operations. No hotel or tourism experience is noted for Romillo, who also operated the controversial and recently shuttered financial club promising up to 53% returns while mocking Spanish fiscal authorities.

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