Jurídicos y Administrativos

🛫 Emirates' A380 collided with a boarding bridge at Charles de Gaulle Airport in France last Monday, causing damage to the engine cover. Consequently, the aircraft was temporarily withdrawn for inspection, and the Dubai-bound flight was cancelled. Possible reasons for the incident include incorrect bridge positioning or signals during parking, unsuitable parking assignment, or pilot error. The event was reported on July 22, 2024, by @aviacionbrk and commented by aviation expert @GaboAir.

🚩 In Palma, Spain, a protest against tourist overcrowding drew 20,000 people, highlighting vacation rentals, both legal and illegal, as the main cause. The Hoteliers Association of Playa de Palma (AHPP) criticized the involvement of former Balearic government officials in the protest, noting their past political responsibility during an increase in overcrowding. AHPP President Pedro Marín called for effective measures against illegal vacation rentals to protect housing markets and tourism quality.

💸 The Spanish National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) is set to finalize a €486 million fine against Booking for "restrictive competition practices." The announcement is expected this week after a period of analysis, confirming the OTA's abuse of dominant position impacting hotels and competing online agencies. The decision stands despite a hearing in May. Booking plans to appeal, calling the sanction "completely disproportionate." CNMC initiated the proceedings in October 2022 for potential violations of Law 15/2007 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

🏨 Selina Hospitality, a UK-based hotel chain with a strong presence in Latin America, declared the possibility of insolvency as all other options were exhausted. On Monday the 22nd, Andrew Johnson, Samuel Ballinger, and Ali Khaki from FTI Consulting LLP were appointed as joint administrators. The company faces delisting from Nasdaq, as Selina failed to pay a $50 million loan to IDB Invest and missed a $455,000 interest payment on July 15. Founded in 2014, the brand went public in 2021 valued at approximately €1.2 billion and operates in 22 countries.

🏖️ Pedro Marín, President of the Hotel Association of Playa de Palma, condemns the previous island government for hypocrisy regarding tourism protests in Baleares, blaming vacation rentals for housing shortages and increased prices. He urges authorities to take action against illegal vacation rentals to protect the housing market and tourism quality.

🏨 Selina Hospitality, valued at $1.2 billion during its December 2021 IPO, lost nearly all its value and declared insolvency early 2024. The company had about 30,000 beds worldwide and aimed to operate over 400 hotels, serving more than 10 million guests by 2025. Joint administrators have been appointed following a declaration to the Securities and Exchange Commission about the company's inability to avoid insolvency.

🚧 Ramón Pons, director of Hotel Guadalpín Banús in Marbella, announced a temporary workforce adjustment plan (ERTE) due to "force majeure" amid high season service reductions. Two owners, Caja Rural de Granada and SPV Spain, reclaim their assets from the hotel operator, Grisoma Hotelera. The staff of 180 fear permanent closure. On Monday, employees demanded action from Marbella's City Hall to secure the hotel's future and their jobs. The ERTE, which will likely be retroactive from the closure on July 11, aims to rotate affected workers.

📌 British tabloids target Spanish destinations amid mass protests against tourism in Mallorca last weekend. Thousands gathered, organized by over a hundred left-wing, pro-independence groups, to demand reduced tourism. Daily Mail reports thousands of locals in Palma calling to limit foreign visitors on the Spanish island, with activists attacking British tourists, displaying signs like “Take back your drunks, give us back our homes.” Protesters mocked England and Germany's Eurocup losses with signs referencing English defender Kyle Walker: “The only thing coming home is you.” Other banners read “We used to have a life. SOS Residents,” “Your luxury, our misery,” and “Enjoy balconing,” referencing a dangerous activity by drunk tourists.

🏆 On March 5, Peng Hui, 54, stole $90,000 from a partially open suitcase on a Singapore Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Singapore. Despite not planning to steal, he took advantage of the sleeping owner and transferred the money to his bag. After landing at Changi Airport, the theft was reported to the police. Peng was easily apprehended at his hotel after exchanging the money to Singapore currency, thanks to boarding data and security cameras. He received a 2.5-year prison sentence for theft and failing to declare the stolen cash.

✈ Judge Peinado summoned Leticia Lauffer, former director of Globalia's subsidiary Wakalua, as a witness in a case involving Air Europa and Begoña Gómez. Lauffer linked the Hidalgos, Gómez, and Juan Carlos Barrabés. Barrabés, now indicted, testified on Friday after Gómez declined. Wakalua, under Lauffer, sponsored Gómez's Africa Center with €40,000 in January 2020. Lauffer's company also had ties to Barrabés, whom Gómez recommended for state contracts worth €10 million.