Jurídicos y Administrativos

💰 The Baleares government, led by Marga Prohens, faces political deadlock over increasing the ecotax during high season, opposed by main partner Vox and other opposition. Vox refuses tax hikes affecting tourists and residents, yet open to discussing visitor regulation alternatives. Més per Mallorca demands ITS doubling year-round, while PSOE criticizes the government's negotiation willingness. Prohens' plan involves ecotax hikes between June-August, reductions from December-February, and exemptions for residents. Increases would range from €0.30 to €1.2 per night, with 5-star accommodations potentially rising from €4 to €5.2 or €5.5, and budget accommodations from €1 to €1.3 per night.

🏨 Major hotel chains are forming their own association in the Canary Islands, challenging existing hotelier guilds like Ashotel. The unnamed new business group will include Iberostar, Meliá, Riu, H10, Barceló, Piñero, and Hyatt, which together have 114 hotels in the archipelago. Barceló leads with 28 hotels, followed by Meliá and H10 with 20 each, Hyatt with 19, Riu with 16, and Iberostar with 11. The initiative, focusing initially on Tenerife, aims to represent the industry's interests in key negotiations.

🏠 Barcelona's City Council, led by Jaume Collboni, partners with the College of Property Administrators and the Urban Property Chamber to advise communities on preventing tourist apartments from being set up in their buildings. This initiative, stemming from the latest city budget agreements with the ERC municipal group, aims to amend community statutes, restricting new economic activities that may negatively impact cohabitation. Barcelona will not grant further tourist licenses to residential properties and will not renew existing ones. By 2029, the current 10,101 tourist apartments will lose their status. A communication campaign and a grant call by IMVB for statute drafting are part of the measures.

✈️ AerCap, an Irish aircraft leasing company with 1,676 planes, is the world's largest passenger airplane owner as of 2025. Founded in 2006 by Tony Ryan, AerCap grew significantly after acquiring ILFC in 2014 and GE Capital Aviation Services during the pandemic. Their fleet includes 278 twin-aisle aircraft and numerous Embraer models. The second-largest lessor owns 761 planes, and the third owns 583, with subsequent firms based outside of Europe. Ireland's favorable tax regime is beneficial to these leasing companies.

🛫 The union ASAE criticized the Madrid government delegation for ignoring the humanitarian disaster at Madrid's Barajas Airport, where about 500 homeless individuals have taken residence due to authorities' inaction. Employees often don't report crimes due to fear, and passengers, unless seriously harmed, don't report due to haste. The union questions when police will address the issue, referencing a recent eviction of approximately 200 homeless people at El Prat Airport before the Mobile World Congress.

🚀 Following a fire incident on an Air Busan flight in Hong Kong in January, Taiwan's four airlines—China Airlines, Eva Air, Starlux, and Tigerair—ban the use of external batteries or power banks. Starting March 1, these devices are prohibited; however, Tigerair and Starlux only restrict their use, not transport. Passengers are advised to charge devices beforehand and pack batteries properly to prevent accidents. This measure applies to the mentioned airlines on all routes, not to other airlines flying to Taiwan.

🗽 The government of Baleares will increase the ecotax during high season, with hikes ranging from €0.30 to €1.2 per night based on accommodation type. Five-star establishments will see the tax rise from €4 to €5.2 or possibly €5.5 per night, while budget accommodations like hostels will increase from €1 to €1.3 per night. The higher rates apply from June to August, with reductions in winter (December to February) and no changes during other months. The measure, seeking legal exemption for Baleares residents, awaits support from either Més or Vox for passage as the Partido Popular lacks a majority. Hoteliers oppose the increase, anticipating backlash at the upcoming ITB Berlin fair, yet President Marga Prohens views it as a strategy to manage tourist influx and combat overcrowding.

✈ Iberia Express faces a dispute with UPPA over pilot collective bargaining agreement updates, risking competitiveness. IAG CEO Luis Gallego suggests Iberia Express could be replaced by a new low-cost airline or enhance partnership with Air Nostrum if no agreement is reached. Options include launching a new airline with its own AOC or reinforcing Air Nostrum collaboration. CEO Carlos Gómez warns of uncertainty and potential business model risks for Iberia Express.

✈ Lufthansa leads air operations in five European countries, defying a European Commission order to charge competitor Condor "political prices" for passenger transportation. German courts in December allowed Lufthansa to set prices for Condor passengers to Frankfurt at its discretion. On January 15, the Commission insisted Lufthansa maintain prices. Lufthansa publicly criticized the Commission's attempt to dictate flight pricing and questioned the legal basis for such demands.

💸 Booking.com, headquartered in Amsterdam, insists their programs are designed to add value and market accommodations globally without causing harm to hotels. The company is currently appealing a CNMC decision, with the resolution pending at the Audiencia Nacional. They emphasize ongoing commitment to listening to partners and creating new business opportunities for them.