Jurídicos y Administrativos

💼 Iván Méndez, manager of the Unión de Agencias de Viajes (UNAV), defends regional “Imserso” programs citing their economic benefits during low activity periods in tourism and high recognition. He addresses challenges from battling the application of Royal Decree 933/2021 to hiring skilled workers, maintaining optimism for 2025. He notes the growth in travel demand but warns of profitability issues due to increased costs. Méndez also mentions the struggle for better conditions for travel programs and highlights UNAV's focus on training, providing over 2,000 monthly training hours in 2024. Despite challenges, he remains confident about the industry's prospects in 2025, with an expectation of good performance, though not necessarily matching the excellent figures of the previous two years.

✈ Vueling, IAG's low-cost airline, announces improvements for travel agency intermediation via NDC. The carrier is aligning NDC fares (Fly Light, Fly, Fly Grande) with its agency website offerings and has cut the NDC booking fee by half. They are also optimizing and unifying service fee bonus processes across indirect channels, including NDC, agency web, group web, and GDS. A new free agency support number, 931 220 220, has been launched.

🛫 Portugal's political crisis led to Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's resignation and suspension of TAP Air Portugal's privatization process, initially set for this month. The interim government, with limited powers, couldn't formalize the sale, possibly delaying it by 6-12 months. Parpública managed the sale with Bank of America and Morais Leitão as advisors. Potential buyers include IAG, Lufthansa, and Air France-KLM. Final decisions await the new administration post-elections, likely in May.

🏖 Viajes Marsans, a brand known for its presence in the Spanish tourism market, is allegedly returning after nearly 15 years since its bankruptcy. A statement claims they're embarking on a new phase emphasizing digitalization and innovation. Skepticism arises as industry experts suggest the relaunch could be a scam, citing a basic website with technical issues and scant content. Marsans' collapse in 2020 resulted in a €373 million deficit and over 11,000 creditors.

🛫 Airlines connecting the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla with the Spanish mainland and operating domestic flights threaten route abandonment or frequency reduction due to unpaid government debts totaling €810 million as of January 2025 for resident subsidies of 75% on ticket prices. The concern escalates with a potential debt of €1.5 billion forecasted for 2025 amid extended 2023 State Budgets. The government's allocated €560.81 million in 2023 plus an additional €170 million from the Contingency Fund fell short as air connectivity with the Canaries and Balearics increased by nearly 18% and 13% respectively in 2024 compared to 2019. This financial strain risks the viability of routes and economic development, impacting travel agencies awaiting subsidized ticket management fees.

🛈 Agustín Almodóbar, the Popular Party's Tourism spokesperson in the Senate, warns about the "ignorance, passivity, and absolute incompetence" of Minister Bustinduy and the lack of influence and leadership of Minister Hereu, endangering the survival of the Imserso tourism program. Concerns arise in the tourism sector due to no improvements or modernization efforts for senior travel programs after recent meetings. Almodóbar calls for urgent action as contracting conditions for lodging must be reviewed; otherwise, no hotels will participate next season, leading to closures and unemployment for thousands. He requests an urgent briefing from Imserso's General Director, María Teresa Sancho, on new tender progress and changes, while pressing the Executive to disclose decisions on the new specifications, as the tender for the 2025/2026 season is already delayed.

👨 Imserso faces the challenge of publishing new tourism program tender documents within the next few weeks, a prerequisite for the public tender. General Director María Teresa Sancho promised earlier this year they would be ready soon. Experts suggest publication should occur by mid-April to avoid past delays. After the September 2024 break with Ávoris, there's a typical 30-day window for proposals, indicating a possible public contest in May. Hotels currently earn €25-26 per night versus a €34 real cost, while agencies make €14.50 per sold seat.

✈ Easyjet pilot Paul Elsworth, flying an A320 from Manchester to Hurghada, Egypt, was suspended after bringing the aircraft within 800 feet (240 meters) of a mountain on February 2. His immediate response to the cockpit alarms averted a collision. The plane was 3,100 feet (950 meters) above the 2,329 feet (700 meters) mountain, instead of the regular 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). Investigation launched; Elsworth temporarily relieved of duties; passengers likely unaware of the incident's severity; his son is a British Airways pilot.

💰 Sandra Ortega, daughter of Amancio Ortega, won a legal battle against EBN Banco de Negocios, which demanded over 1.5 million euros from her after Room Mate's bankruptcy. The Madrid Court (Juzgado de Primera Instancia número 46) ruled she didn't authorize the guarantee by Rosp Corunna for Kike Sarasola's hotel chain. Financial entities claim around 150 million euros for "comfort letters" breaches, but evidence and a handwriting analysis confirmed Ortega's non-consent. EBN can appeal to the Audiencia Provincial de Madrid, yet the current ruling supports Ortega, who denies authorizing the guarantees and blames her former asset manager.

✈ Vueling, an IAG airline, challenges a €39.2 million fine imposed by the Spanish government for charging for hand luggage. On January 29, they filed an appeal and a precautionary measure to suspend the fine with the National High Court, expecting a resolution by mid-2025 and a potential court date in 2026. Vueling disputes the decision based on European regulations that allow pricing freedom. Ryanair was fined €107.7 million, Easyjet €29 million, Volotea €1.189 million, and Norwegian €1.610 million, totaling €179 million for five low-cost carriers.