In
previous editions of Local News I have reported on the growing problem of getting
a flight from Ibiza to mainland Spain.
During
the past two weeks, leading Spanish airline companies such as Iberia, Spanair,
AeBal and Air Europa have announced their winter flight programme.
Staff
and flights are all being drastically reduced as a result of 11th
September tragedies in America, which have disrupted the world economy.
Direct
flights joining the Balearic and Canary Isles to mainland Spain during the winter
period will be few and far between.
Despite
all appeals by the Govern balear (Balearic Government) to the airline companies
against their decision, nothing could be said that would change their minds.
Air
Europa Express decided on Monday 29th October to cancel all turboprop
aeroplanes, most of which connected Ibiza to Palma throughout the winter season.
They have also reduced their staff by 10% (337 people).
Air
Europa’s temporary staff will also be affected by the company’s decision.
They
have decided not to renew their work contracts and drastically reduce their
weekly timetable.
Air
Europa Express staff in Ibiza will also suffer the effects of the new decision
as the company employs eight people on a permanent basis and 22 temporary staff.
The
Spanish work syndicate USO has recommended Air Europa´s staff to denounce the
company for modifying a work contract as well as not informing them of their
decision until 12 hours before the reforming process began.
According
to USO, Air Europa has broken the law and in the near future could face large
fines if they don’t rethink their decision.
After
Air Europa´s negative decision it´s nice to see that some companies are fighting
against the economical crisis.
Spanair
announced on Monday 29th October that they plan to stick to their
winter timetable despite the 11th September tragedies.
Spanair
will offer a weekly service of 116 flights between Palma and Barcelona, 88 from
Palma to Madrid and 14 Palma-Alicante.
The
Balearics have also been taken into consideration with 24 weekly flights between
Ibiza and Palma and 32 joining Palma and Maó (Menorca).
The
Govern balear are shocked by the airline companies that have decided to cease
connecting flights between the islands and the peninsula, as over the years
they have got used to Spanish companies demanding more air space instead of
less.
The
president of the Govern balear, Francesc Antich, feels that the drastic number
of flight reductions will have a very negative effect on the Balearic economy.
The
president now feels that it´s necessary that “the airline companies be declared
a public service if we don’t want to live through another crisis like this”.
Pilar
Costa, president of the Consell Insular (Islands Council), also feels strongly
about the situation: “Aeroplanes are the fastest way of getting from Ibiza to
mainland Spain. In Spain you can travel by train but we can’t do that in Ibiza,
planes are our motorways”.
Antich
also reiterated that it´s now easier to fly to Germany than it is to mainland
Spain, as there are more direct flights.
On
the other hand, direct flights to Germany might not be available for much longer.
LTU,
one of the leading charter airline companies in Germany, have recently declared
they are on the brink of bankruptcy.
The
company has fallen into an economical crisis because of the situation with Swissair,
who are LTU´s largest shareholder, owning 49.9% of the company.
German
banks and politicians have joined forces in a bid to help the airline company.
The
company has been offered 150 million Euros, although this figure has yet to
be approved by the European Union.
LTU
would also have to follow a special saving programme until 2004, which would
mean cutting staffs wages between 5 and 10%, if they choose to accept the money
from the German banks.
NO ECOTASA NEXT YEAR EITHER
The
ecotasa, tax to be paid by all tourists that travel to Ibiza, has once again
taken a back seat.
The
new law was supposed to be functioning by next season but, as a result of the
11th September tragedies, has been cancelled once again.
The
Govern balear has provisionally suspended the ecotasa for one year despite receiving
criticism from the PP (Pacte Progressista) political party.
PP
politician Joan Flaquer said: “The Govern balear lack coherence in their decisions.
First the ecotasa was going to start functioning next year but now they have
changed their minds once again”.
The
Govern balear answered this strong criticism by accusing them of being insensible
and not considering the uncertain future of the Balearic tourist industry after
the American tragedies.
VENDING MACHINE FRAUD
Over
the past few days, men employed by vending machine companies have been wondering
why there was so little money in their machines.
They
have since discovered the reason behind this intriguing problem.
A
group of men dressed as official employees have been going round all establishments
emptying the money out of soft drink machines.
These
“robbers” act out their crime as naturally as possible. First of all they maintain
a conversation with the establishments manager or owner, then they proceed to
empty the machines of all money using a master key. After this they say goodbye
to the owner and leave as if nothing had happened.
No
one would notice anything unusual about the situation until a few days or even
hours later when the official company employee arrives to find the machine empty
of all money.
The
soft drinks machine company has since revealed that there is nothing that can
be done about the problem and, as the vending machines are emptied on a regular
basis, they are not losing large amounts of money.
CYCLING
Thousands
of people gathered on Sunday 28th October to witness one of the biggest
sporting events in Ibiza this year.
The
ACP ‘Gran Premi Unitec-Eivissa Patrimoni’ cycling competition reunited the most
famous Spanish cyclists, turning most of the island into a mini Tour de France.
More
than 3,500 people gathered to see Óscar Freire, Óscar Sevilla and Ángel Casero
lead the way to the top.
All
the cyclists agreed that Ibiza is one of the nicest places to hold a competition
as the weather conditions are so pleasant.
Maybe
now that the cyclists have discovered Ibiza, the island might be used on a more
regular basis to hold important sporting events such as this one.
IX TRADE FAIR
Another
important event on this week’s calendar is the annual trade fair at the Recinto
Ferial (Ibiza’s Fair and Exhibition Centre).
The
“IX Feria de Muestras” has combined 70 different businesses in 1,500 square
metres.
Fifty-three
of these businesses are from Ibiza, one from Formentera, six from Palma, five
from Barcelona two from Madrid, one from Valencia and one from Bilbao.
Natural
fragrances, heating systems, toys, massage chairs, arts and crafts from Thailand,
beer, wedding dresses, makeovers and typical Ibicencan food stalls are all present
at the fair.
A
stand from the leading furniture store Ikea is definitely the star of the show,
offering catalogues in a bid to encourage people to buy via telephone and Internet.
More
than 18,000 people passed through the Recinto Ferial´s doors in last year’s
edition, proving the huge success of the fair.
The
trade fair will remain open from 11 o’clock in the morning until 10 o’clock
at night from Thursday 1st November until Sunday 4th November,
so if you get time I highly recommend a visit. |