Nombramientos

✈ EasyJet planned to close its Toulouse, France base, with two airplanes, in March 2025 after 13 years. UNAC, the aviation union, called for an indefinite strike in response, beginning on a Monday coinciding with new agreement negotiations. The Toulouse base employs 125 workers, covering 20 destinations, which will be served from other bases, offering workers relocation to any of the six other French cities where EasyJet operates: Nice, Paris (two airports), Bordeaux, Nantes, and Lyon.

✈ Rafael Jiménez Hoyos appointed as new CEO of IAG's long-haul airline Level, effective October 1. Outgoing CEO Fernando Candela, former Iberia president and Iberia Express CEO, retires. Level aims to grow, connects Barcelona globally. Jiménez previously Iberia's production director, holds A320 commander training, has piloted within the group. Amidst growth, Level seeks AOC, plans to expand fleet to 8 aircraft by 2026 after strong 2023 performance, boosts US routes, and strengthens Latin American presence.

💰 Miquel Moyá joined Viajes El Corte Inglés as General Manager in September 2023. By the fiscal year ending February 29, the company's net profit surged to €49.6 million, quadrupling 2022's gains and taking 10.3% of the group's total earnings (up from 1.4% in 2022). Workforce grew from 5,732 to 6,653 within a year, and the number of travel agencies increased from 637 to 721 over five years, notably in the Americas from 121 to 162 offices. Moyá, former Google executive of nearly 11 years and e-commerce leader at Barceló, has propelled technological advancements, integrating Logitravel and partnering with Ryanair to sell tickets.

🚢 Anna Nash has been appointed as the new president of MSC's luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys. With over two decades of ultra-luxury hospitality experience, she will report to Pierfrancesco Vago, the MSC Cruise Division's Executive Chairman. Nash previously held roles at Aman, including Commercial Director, as well as Marketing Director and Communication Director. She brings expertise from her former positions at Rosewood Hotels and Orient-Express to the newly created role at MSC. Explora Journeys is expanding its fleet with Explora II launching this week, and four more ships are set to enter service between 2026 and 2028.

📌 Aurelio Vázquez, former CEO for Europe at Iberostar, joins Summum Hotel Group as the new Director General, aiming to drive the Strategic Plan 25-30. This plan, associated with Meliá, features ambitious expansion goals. Vázquez's appointment comes after his tenure at Iberostar, while Summum's leadership continues with Javier Vich as CEO.

📌 Maria Frontera has served as head of the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) since January 2018. Potential leadership changes are discussed with the upcoming board meeting on September 18 and the general assembly on September 23. Javier Vich, CEO of Summum Hotel Group and FEHM vice president, emerges as a strong candidate. Modifications to the statutes, especially article 28, are considered for Frontera's continuation. Candidacy submissions for elections are planned for late September or early October, with elections in December and the new leader's introduction at Fitur in January.

✈️ Eduardo Ballesteros, Plus Ultra commander, retires after over 40 years in aviation with his final commercial flight on an Airbus A330 from Lima to Madrid. Started in the Air Force, Ballesteros also flew for Spanair and Asiana in Seoul before Plus Ultra. Lauded by air traffic controllers for his professionalism, he is well-regarded by colleagues at Plus Ultra and the defunct Spanair.

🚂 The Spanish rail sector, known for punctuality, faces serious issues with delays and cancellations affecting hundreds of passengers. Transport Minister Óscar Puente cited summer incidents due to Chamartín station works and Talgo train malfunctions. In response to environmental concerns, Norway halts a tourism campaign to protect natural spaces. Turespaña refreshes its leadership, appointing three new directors in Strategy, Marketing, and Administration, and sending new tourism counselors to Dublin, Buenos Aires, Abu Dhabi, Milan, Mumbai, Oslo, Guangzhou, Toronto, and Zurich.

🏖️ Stijn Oyen, with over 20 years' experience, starts as the new General Director of Design Hotels in early 2023 after a decade at Marriott International and managing three establishments in Mallorca. Javier Marín Martinón leaves his role as Commercial and Marketing Director at Renfe Viajeros after three years, announcing on LinkedIn his upcoming new and exciting project. Spain faces tourist overcrowding issues, compared to the boiled frog syndrome, which has gradually emerged over the past decade.

📌 Luis Riu, CEO of the Spanish holiday chain Riu, has been managing the company alone since his sister Carmen retired two months ago. Riu advises reacting to the rising hotel prices for the upcoming season. He emphasizes the need to eliminate illegal holiday rentals that cause issues in tourist destinations. Riu supports maintaining legal tourist offerings but aims to eradicate illegal ones. Despite recent increases in hotel prices, Riu suggests potentially freezing or reducing them, citing the pandemic as a major factor in economic challenges faced by the industry. The company has 100,000 customers and 39,000 employees, with Riu advocating constant vigilance in the business.