Trending in July

GLOBAL AVIATION NEWS

Spain eyes Air Europa stake

The Spanish government is considering the possibility of acquiring a share in Air Europa after the debacle of the airline’s by the IAG group. Though the Spanish group and Globalia, Air Europa’s parent company, have committed to reviewing the possibility of an agreement before the end of the month, the government is considering becoming a shareholder in the Hidalgo family’s airline. In mid-December last year, IAG and Globalia announced the definitive termination of the agreement signed on November 4, 2019, according to which Iberia agreed to acquire the entire share capital of Air Europa for €500 million. The financial difficulties of the industry in general and the obstacles put in place by the European Commission’s competition authority were the reasons - among others - for that decision. Acording to Nadia Calvino, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, the government is “considering” buying an equity stake in Air Europa. “At the moment we are exploring all possible options”, she said. These options include the possibility of the government taking a “minority stake” in the company or sharing ownership of the airline with IAG and the Hidalgo family, the current owners. Thus, the government could acquire up to 40% of the airline’s shares. Air Europa has received more than 600 million euros from the state in the form of bailouts and economic and financial aid. Among the options being considered by the government is to capitalise part of this debt as shares in the airline. Air Europa suffered record losses of 428 million euros in 2020 and everything seems to indicate that in 2021 it will repeat those losses, having recovered only 19% of the traffic recorded in 2019.

Trending in July

The ten most read articles on EX-YU Aviation News throughout July according to accumulated statistics:

1. Turkish to deploy A330 to Ljubljana

2. Air Serbia opens second base

3. Mesa Airlines eyes Adria Airways stake

4. Wizz Air extends dominance on Macedonian market
5. Air Serbia tops European flag carrier growth

6. Split Airport opens new terminal

7. VINCI working on Belgrade's long haul network

8. LOT plans Budapest - Belgrade service

9. American investor eyes Adria stake

10. Belgrade Airport starts modernisation project

The three most read trip reports in July:

1. Swiss: Zurich - Nairobi *
2. Air Serbia by Etihad: Belgrade - London
3. Aegean Airlines: Belgrade - Athens

* Most read trip report of the year so far

The most popular vintage photo published in July:

Inex-Adria Airways taking off from Maribor Airport, 1980s

The most visitors by country:

1. Serbia

2. Slovenia

3. Croatia

4. United States
5. United Kingdom

6. Germany

7. Macedonia

8. Bosnia and Herzegovina

9. Canada
10. Bulgaria

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