Nombramientos

✈ Zhuo Ming, aviation software expert, who developed systems for Boeing 787 and Airbus A380, departs Altair in the U.S. to join the Institute of Technology of the East in Ningbo, China, as a professor and dean. Reported by South China Morning Post, Zhuo’s move is notable given his contributions to Western aviation. No connection between his relocation and Comac, the Chinese state company, or government influence, is mentioned.

🌎 Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, with 16+ years in tourism, becomes the first woman to lead the World Tourism Organization, based in Madrid, starting January 2026. Her appointment marks a milestone for gender equality, supported by UAE leadership. During the pandemic, she redeployed 200 employees and developed a resort prioritizing local hiring. Her focus includes tackling climate change, creating employment, and enhancing digitalization while respecting privacy and ethics. The goal is sustainable, inclusive tourism balancing visitor growth and community needs.

📈 Juan José Hidalgo, president of Globalia, has offered Turkish Airlines a position on Air Europa’s board, which currently has five members, without Turkish requesting it. This move, announced in 2024, contrasts with typical corporate practices where major shareholders demand board seats. IAG, which owns 20% of Air Europa, is uncertain about future capital increases. Turkish Airlines is set to become the second-largest shareholder with a 27% stake, potentially fueling conflicts due to disparate treatment.

🛩 Qantas plans to replace its 10 Airbus A380s with Airbus A350-1000 ULR aircraft starting in 2032. The A350s are designed for ultra-long-haul flights, such as from Australia to London or New York, lasting up to 20 hours with 238 seats, enhancing passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. Currently, only ten airlines operate the A380, totaling 186 in service, with Emirates leading, while 30 are stored.

📋 Ian Richard Livesey, tras una carrera de 34 años en TUI, donde fue director de Operaciones para Baleares, Península, Andorra, Laponia e Islandia, se unirá al Grupo Moventia, con sede en Barcelona. Moventia, fundada en 1923, se especializa en movilidad y alcanzó más de 1.000 millones de euros en ingresos en 2024, con un objetivo de 1.400-1.500 millones este año. Livesey liderará los negocios B2B y B2C de su división de transporte.

📅 Pablo Villaseñor, starting 1st September, becomes Director General of Tourmundial Circuitos at Viajes El Corte Inglés. With three decades in the travel sector, Villaseñor left Ávoris in July and previously led Special Tours since 2016. Reporting to Luis Hernández, he aims to boost their wholesale division. Villaseñor's experience, spanning Latin America, especially Mexico and Brazil, is anticipated to drive growth in the burgeoning tour operation business.

✈️ Air Europa's daily operations director, Mario Hidalgo, announced that the airline's partnership with Turkish Airlines is nearly finalized, with only contracts left to sign. The deal, involving a 26% sales share, has received approval from Spanish and European authorities. The collaboration will provide aircraft earlier than planned for 2031, enabling route expansion, including Madrid-Geneva and routes to Asia and South America. Additionally, Air Europa will move closer to Star Alliance, shifting focus from its long-standing ties with Skyteam.

💰 Javier Hidalgo, five years after stepping down as CEO of Air Europa, is negotiating to sell up to 25% of the airline. Recently, he returned from Istanbul after meetings with Turkish Airlines and Etihad. The sale could raise €200-300 million to repay SEPI loans and demonstrate financial stability. Hidalgo is supported by Richard Clark, Air Europa’s general manager, while CEO Jesús Nuño de la Rosa remains on the sidelines. Juan José Hidalgo hopes for a broader deal amid Spain's political turbulence.

🗺️ World2Meet (W2M) acelera, agosto de 2025, en Europa y Marruecos. Elena Cabrera, ex-country manager de Ryanair, lidera la internacionalización de W2M, que opera en Portugal, México, Bulgaria y Rumanía. Gabriel Subías dirige esta expansión hacia Centroeuropa y Marruecos. Cabrera, con experiencia en Kreab y Atrevia, refuerza la estructura ejecutiva del grupo en un entorno competitivo turístico.

📁 Grupo Viajes El Corte Inglés appoints Carlos Campa as the new director of Traveltool, a position vacant since February after Toni Frau joined Ávoris. With over 500 associated travel agencies, the group aims to focus on proximity and technology. Campa, who joined Viajes El Corte Inglés in January 2022 as Passengy's commercial director, has experience with Logitravel and Globalia. The merger of Viajes El Corte Inglés and Logitravel was finalized in late 2021.