Jurídicos y Administrativos

🏖 The Spanish Government's labor hour reduction to 37.5 hours per week could cost the tourism sector €2.348 billion, raising labor costs by 4.9% and decreasing profits by 8.1%. Exceltur's analysis indicates an 80.4% impact on tourism workers, totaling 222.2 million reduced work hours annually. Sectors most affected: restoration (€1.029 billion, 19.1% profit reduction), transport (€599.7 million, 7.8%), and accommodation (€403 million, 6.1%). The measure, supported by unions but not the employer's association, requires Congress approval, where its future remains uncertain.

🛂 Destinia is preparing a lawsuit against Booking.com for trademark infringement and unfair competition, alleging that Booking is using their brand to mislead consumers across 20 countries. This activity has significantly impacted Destinia's travel distribution business. The lawsuit is based on notarial deeds from each market where the violation occurred, under Law 17/2001 regulating trademarks. Booking.com is accused of bidding on Google Ads for Destinia's name, leading to a sponsored link that redirects users to Booking.com, which Destinia's director general, Fernández Flores, deems illegal.

💰 Globalia had a Panamanian society, C.H. Marketing Corp., to manage dividends from hotels in the Dominican Republic. It was dissolved on December 6, 2020, one month after the Spanish Government granted a €475 million bailout to Air Europa in November 2020. Founded in 1996, the society aimed to reduce tax burdens in Spain, capitalizing on Panama's fiscal benefits. Globalia also operates Intertravel SARL in tax-favorable Luxembourg, managing income from Dominican Republic and Mexican hotel entrepreneurs.

🚢 Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, caused the ship to crash while traveling from Civitavecchia to Savona on January 13, 2012, resulting in 32 deaths. Schettino was found guilty of multiple homicides, negligent shipwreck, and abandonment of ship. Convicted to 16 years in prison in 2017, he has served half his sentence and is eligible for alternative measures, currently enjoying 45 days of annual leave. His hearing for parole is scheduled next month, and despite his spotless prison behavior, victims express sadness at his potential release.

💸 Ryanair, Vueling, Volotea, Easyjet, and Norwegian fined 179 million euros by Spain for charging for hand luggage, with Ryanair hit the hardest at 107.7 million euros (60.23% of total). Vueling faces a 39.2 million euro fine (21.94%), Easyjet 29 million (16.26%), Volotea 1.189 million (0.66%), and Norwegian 1.610 million (0.90%). The sanctions, ratified on November 22, 2024, are challenged by the airlines, which expect a favorable outcome as the EU queries Spain's compliance with European legislation.

✈ Ryanair, Vueling, Easyjet, Norwegian, and Volotea fined €179 million by Spain for charging for hand luggage. Minister of Consumer Affairs Pablo Bustinduy faces backlash but vows to uphold consumer rights. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary calls Bustinduy a "crazy communist". Ryanair hit hardest with a €107.8 million fine, accused of "abusive" practices violating consumer laws regarding essential hand luggage.

🔒 ACAVE and ECTAA, representing European travel agencies, met in Brussels to discuss cybersecurity risks and data protection issues related to Real Decreto 933/2021. They coordinated strategies with MEPs Borja Giménez Larraz and Elena Nevado del Campo amid a European Commission investigation prompted by a complaint from MEP Dolors Montserrat. Agencies aim to pressure for a positive resolution regarding the Spanish regulation, which demands excessive personal data from clients, potentially affecting privacy and Spain’s tourism competitiveness. A report detailing data protection violations has been sent to Commissioner Michael McGrath, with no response yet from the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

💎 Retirees from Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca traveling to another island in the Balearic archipelago within the Imserso Tourism Program can now get financial aid to cover a stopover in Mallorca. The Family and Social Rights Department modified the regulation, published in the BOIB three days ago. Previously, subsidies were only for those traveling to the Peninsula with a stop at Palma airport. The aid is up to €150 per person or €200 with a companion, covering round-trip expenses and up to two hotel nights in Mallorca. Interested parties must register by November 15 to benefit from this new measure.

💳 In an interview, Plus Ultra CEO Roberto Roselli highlighted the negative impact of state aid controversy on financial relationships, with Spanish banks blocking payment gateways, leading to a switch to Canadian payment systems. Despite rumors linking the airline to Venezuela, Roselli clarified that 85% of the capital comes from European citizens and addressed the commitment to repay SEPI debt by 2026 without seeking postponement.

💰 Víctor de Aldama has conversations with Begoña Gómez, wife of Pedro Sánchez, regarding Air Europa's bailout, its subsidiary Wakalua, and the OMT led by Zurab Pololihashvili. Santiago Pedraz of the Audiencia Nacional's Central Court of Instruction No. 5 recently authorized Aldama's and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's access to a separate part of the content. Begoña's close ties with Globalia CEO Javier Hidalgo during the public bailout request were highlighted, including a September 2019 OMT assembly meeting in St. Petersburg with Aldama and Hidalgo. Aldama is prepared to testify before Judge Juan Carlos Peinado investigating Begoña Gómez for influence peddling, corruption in business, embezzlement, and professional intrusion.