Iberia's agreement with its unions to establish a new handling company could be a significant step towards liberalization in Spanish aviation. The new company, fully owned by IAG, will provide self-handling services and serve IAG airlines. This move might challenge the monopolistic grip of AENA, the airport operator, which limits the number of handling licenses per airport. Liberalization could foster a more competitive environment, benefiting airlines, passengers, and the tourism sector..

(Source: Aerovalue. Read article here)

Aerovalue has been granted authorization by the Spanish State Air Safety Agency (AESA) to serve as a handling agent in Groups 1, 2, and 10b across all Spanish airports. This move signifies Aerovalue's commitment to providing top-notch aviation services and broadening its range of services.

The expansion signifies Aerovalue's dedication to elevating the standards of aviation services in Spain and the hard work of its dedicated team. The company is looking forward to a bright future and continues to strive for innovation and excellence in all its operations.

(Source: Aerovalue. Read article here)

Iberia plans to purchase Air Europa's stake for €500 million, marking a significant shift in the European aviation industry following the coronavirus pandemic. The acquisition is valued at €500 million and is expected to be completed in 2024. IAG has proposed strategic concessions to increase competition, including surrendering routes and slots to competitors like Ryanair, Volotea, and World2Fly. The merger aims to convert Madrid-Barajas into a competitive hub for intercontinental flights, boosting passenger traffic and improving connectivity. The merger is expected to create between 1,250 and 1,800 direct jobs, augment Madrid airport's earnings by €30 million, and enhance air cargo traffic by 16,000 tons.

(Source: Aerovalue. Read article here)

Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport has reached its 20 million passenger annual milestone for the first time in its history. The milestone was celebrated by representatives from airlines, state security forces, and other companies. The airport has broken traffic records since 2023, with the highest traffic in history in July. It also broke daily records for the number of travelers served and operations managed in a single day..

(Source: Martin Romero - AVIACIONLINE. Read article here)

The International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced that low-cost, long-distance airline LEVEL will receive its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and become the fifth airline in the group. LEVEL, established in 2017, generates double-digit margins due to feeder traffic from IAG's short-haul flights in Barcelona. The airline will expand its fleet from five to eight aircraft, including a sixth Airbus A330-200 by March 2024 and two additional A330s by the end of 2026. LEVEL will also reconfigure its cabin to include 42 Premium Economy seats and 269 Economy seats.

(Source: Gastón Sena - AVIACIONLINE. Read article here)

Aena has submitted arguments against the suspension of the public tender for handling licenses by the Central Administrative Tribunal for Contractual Resources (TACRC), stating that the suspension is automatic and that the process is based on transparent criteria agreed upon with all parties.

(Source: AENA. Read article here)

Aena has awarded private security services for 46 airports and 2 heliports in its Spanish network for the next four years. The company used a competitive dialogue process to determine the most suitable service delivery model. The security services were awarded in various lots, resulting in an average economic improvement of 4.30%. Aena aims to maintain its leadership in global airport management by investing in technology and innovation, such as installing explosive detection equipment and modernizing security filters.

(Source: AENA. Read article here)

Spain's airlines have scheduled 126.6 million seats and nearly 731,000 commercial operations for the winter season, up 15.1% from 2022-2023. The most popular airports are Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat. There are 2,377 routes, with the European market having the highest number of seats at 68.7 million. The largest destinations are Poland, Czechia, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, and Austria.

(Source: AENA. Read article here)

Spain's aviation industry is set for a strong summer season in 2023, with 1.3 million flights and 221.8 million seats, a 4.4% increase from 2019. However, the industry faces challenges in integrating increased expenses from the pandemic and the Ukrainian war into cost structures. To succeed, airlines must improve operations without compromising service quality.

Collaboration among the airline sector is crucial to identify sustainable solutions and avoid supplier crises. The projected surge in air traffic signals recovery, and innovative solutions can help build a more resilient future.

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