Jurídicos y Administrativos

🚢 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.

🎢 In Niza, the city council banned all cruise ships with over 900 passengers, sparking protests from merchants, taxi drivers, maritime professionals, and opposition politicians in Villefranche Sur Mer. Nicolás Plumion claims a 90% loss in activity as passengers typically spend an average of €70 per day, often on perfumeries and trips to Monaco or other renowned villages. Despite environmental balance concerns from Villefranche's mayor Christophe Trojani, Niza's mayor Christian Estrosi holds authority over the port. The Paris representative is reviewing the ban for legal compliance.

✈ Iberia to add second A321XLR to its fleet in March, with an original deal with Airbus despite supply chain delays. The Spanish airline plans to use the new A321XLR for the Madrid-Washington route, resuming with a weekly frequency, then increasing to four times a week in April and five in August. The first A321XLR has been operating daily Madrid-Boston flights since November 14, set to double in June. Iberia expects six A321XLRs from Airbus in 2025, and the eighth by early 2026. The aircraft seats 182 passengers and offers a 30% fuel savings over previous models, with a range of up to 8,700 kilometers.

💥 At Washington Reagan airport, regulation allows one controller to handle both planes and helicopters after 21:30 due to reduced traffic. A controller left the post early, allowed by the tower supervisor, leading to non-standard staffing levels for the traffic volume. A helicopter, instructed to fly below 200 feet and along a specific path, was instead at 300 feet and 0.5 miles off course. The plane was on its correct path. The helicopter pilot, familiar with the route, was instructing a passenger on night flying. Experts suggest the controller should have been more proactive. Both black boxes from an incident have been recovered.