In Spain, the short-time working program (ERTE) expires in its current form on September 30, 2021. This also applies to the Globalia group, which includes the airline Air Europa. Attempts are now being made to conclude alternative agreements with the unions.

This affects around 9.000 employees who the Globalia Group will not need due to lower demand during the autumn and winter seasons. If the Spanish government does not decide to extend the ERTE program at short notice or if an agreement is concluded with the employee representatives on the not entirely voluntary use of holidays, many jobs at Air Europa are on the brink, according to the newspaper El Confidencial.

The negotiations are quite complicated, because Air Europa wanted to cut salaries by six percent in July 2021. The employee representatives rejected this and referred to the very high salaries in the boardroom. The current situation could also shake the takeover by IAG, because the competitor could again demand a price reduction. Currently they have agreed on 500 million euros, but Iberia boss Javier Sánchez-Prieto told the newspaper El Independiente, among other things, that the further development of Air Europa is being monitored and, in particular, if there is additional capital requirement, it will also be informed Have to talk about the purchase price.

The EU Commission recently extended the test procedure until December 3, 2021. The concessions made so far were not sufficient. The outcome of the proceedings is completely open because, at least in theory, a prohibition is also possible. It can be assumed that hard conditions will be imposed on Iberia and Air Europa.