Giuridico e Amministrativo

✈ Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, discussed the failed deal between IAG and Air Europa in an interview with El Mundo. He questioned why Lufthansa is allowed to purchase ITA while IAG can't buy Air Europa, hinting at the influence of British Airways and non-European entities. O'Leary believes Air Europa won't survive independently and would be better managed by Iberia from Madrid or Lufthansa from Frankfurt. Ryanair was positioned as a 'remedy taker' to take over routes for competition reasons if the IAG-Air Europa deal had succeeded.

💸 Volotea achieved a record year in 2024 with revenue of €811 million, a 17% increase from €694 million in 2023. EBITDA rose to €148 million (+54% from 2023) with an 18% margin, and operating profit (EBIT) hit €35 million. The airline operated 450 routes with over 75,000 flights (+10% from 2023), carrying 11.4 million passengers. It also opened three new bases in Brest, Rodez, and Bari, and grew its workforce by 15% to over 2,000 employees for the summer season. In Italy, Volotea transported over 3.8 million passengers (+9% from 2023) across 172 routes, with a 91% occupancy rate. Plans for 2025 include offering 12.7 million seats and operating over 75,000 flights, with 4.3 million seats for sale in Italy.

🏨 Lufthansa targets the tour operating market with Eurowings, set to launch Eurowings Holidays on April 1st. This digital-only brand aims to combine air travel with hotel accommodations, emulating easyJet Holidays' success. Lufthansa accelerates the move after investing in resources and structures from entrepreneur Karlheinz Kogel. Eurowings aims to enter the top ten of German travel companies, capitalizing on the industry's expected growth into 2025.

🏩 Volotea experienced growth in 2024 at its Florence and Palermo bases, with over 2,500 flights (24% increase from 2023) and 367,000 passengers (27% increase) in Florence, boasting a 94% average load factor. 13 destinations were connected from Florence, 77% exclusively. Palermo saw over 3,000 flights (15% increase from 2023), transporting nearly 500,000 passengers (15% increase), and offered 20 routes, 65% exclusively.

✈ Suites Global, a Dubai-based tour operator, has formed a partnership with Agenzia Per Amica network and FlyDubai to offer exclusive rates and quality services for tours in the Middle East, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. The collaboration, leveraging the strategic vision of Umberto Serra and the support of FlyDubai's Italian sales team Lara Roma and Vincenzo Barone, aims to provide integrated, exclusive, and competitive travel packages. Luca Fenzo, CEO of Suites Global, sees this as a turning point for the Italian tourism market.

📍 In 2024, Royal Air Maroc carried 500,000 passengers in Italy and plans for a new African destination, Dakhla, were revealed. New routes from Rabat and Madrid to Dakhla began in January. The airline's Italian network could expand beyond the current 40 weekly flights from six airports (Turin, Milan Malpensa, Venice, Bologna, Rome Fiumicino, and Naples) with the addition of 11 new Boeings in June. By 2037, the fleet is projected to increase from 70 to 200 aircraft, serving over 100 global destinations and 46 domestic routes, aiming for €9 billion in turnover and 31.6 million passengers, up from 7.2 million in 2024. Casablanca-Beijing flights have resumed, positioning the airline as a hub between the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

🏖️ "Romagna autentica" is a territorial marketing project presented by Chiara Astolfi from Visit Romagna, encompassing public and private sector efforts to enhance the regional hinterland. It features a content and ideas lab for eight valleys and 25 municipalities. The brand, supported by Gal L’Altra Romagna's investment in the Psr program, offers events, experiences, and itineraries for different types of tourism on a unique platform with 50 experiences, about 30 routes, and year-round events.

🏖️ Svezia lancia progetto per registrare il proprio nome come marchio a fini commerciali, particolarmente nel turismo e gastronomia, per controllare i diritti e ridurre confusione tra turisti. Progetto scontrarsi con Reg. (UE) n. 2017/1001, limitando registrazione nomi geografici e potrebbe violare libera circolazione servizi in UE. Proposta alternativa: marchio collettivo per equilibrare identità culturale e commercio. Modello potenzialmente influente per l'Italia, dato l’aumento di viaggi esperienziali basati su patrimonio culturale.

📍 In 2024, Caboverdetime achieved a turnover of €6 million, marking a successful year not seen since the closure of the Crioula resort in 2017. For 2025, Caboverdetime plans to strengthen its offerings with Sal as the primary destination and more available flight seats. Flights from Bergamo to Sal operate every Saturday in collaboration with Cabo Verde Airlines. New educational events for travel agencies are set for the upcoming autumn. Pietro Dusi, the sales manager, stresses their importance for product knowledge and sales. Porto Antigo Residence by Caboverdetime, launched in November 2024, was particularly successful during Christmas and New Year's, favored by families for its spacious apartments catering to holiday stays, confirming the market's interest in flexible, quality accommodations.

🏖 In Denmark, Italian tourists accounted for 482,804 overnight stays in 2024, a 17.6% growth from the previous year. Spring months (April and May) saw increases of 33% and 34%, October and November up by 24% and 34%. Denmark's appeal includes its history, culture, design, architecture, and increasingly, its gastronomy—with 31 Michelin-starred restaurants totaling 44 stars. Outdoor activities and sports are key to VisitDenmark's promotional strategies. Copenhagen remains the top destination, followed by South Zealand & Møn, Funen, Aarhus, North Jutland, Billund area, and the Eastern coastal region.