Business

For the first time in four years December 2010 saw a small decrease in the availability of office space in Barcelona. This indicator would show that the office space market is starting to head towards getting on the recuperation track.

Pyrenair will transport skiers from Vigo, Madrid and the Canary Islands to Lleida-Alguaire airport for the next five weeks. Nine in ten seats were already full for the first flights last Sunday.

The chairman of BAA Angela Knight urged savings banks to reconsider their strategy and find diverse ways to finance themselves. The insisted that narrowing the market to a single territory is increasing their exposure to the economic context.

While Spanair recorded an 11.6% increase in passengers in 2010, Iberia lost 19.5% passengers and Air Europe 16%. The airline that is partially owned by the Catalan Government offers 59 direct destinations from Barcelona, 13 of which intercontinental.

The Catalan savings bank owed the 1.63% of the oil company Repsol. By selling all its stakes, it earned 448 million, which represents a profit of 186 million euros. The financial entity made this operation to increase its core capital, in order to be ready for the banking stress test.

The Japanese company has finally chosen to manufacture the new van in a factory in the Catalan capital. The decision comes after workers agreed to a change in their labour conditions including a freeze on salaries until 2014.

The average price per square meter was 2681 euros at the end of last year. Catalonia has the third most expensive property market within Spain, after the Basque Country and Madrid.

The sector records a global loss of 312 million euros over the last four years. The main reason is the increase of the cereal price and thus the increase of feeding costs. Catalonia has a traditional strong pork meat sector, one of the pillars of its agri-food industry.

Prices increased by 7 decimals last December. The monthly price increase was of tobacco and transport.

Barcelona-El Prat Airport had 29.1 million passengers, which means that Barcelona’s is Europe’s 9th airport. Girona airport saw a decrease of 8% in passenger traffic and Reus airport one of 16.7%.

The Mobile World Congress will be held in the Catalan capital for the seventh time. It will take place between 14th and 17th of February and will bring have an economic impact of 200 million euros on the city. Visitors are predicted to occupy 30,000 hotel rooms, 25% higher than last year. However, Barcelona could lose the Mobile World Congress’ organisation contract as the current one ends and other cities put forward their candidature.

The tower is located beside the sea in the first number of Diagonal Avenue in the Forum area. It will host the company’s I+D centre and will bring together all the Telefonica offices from around the city.

It is a record figure for the company and represents a 35 percent increase in passengers since 2009. Vueling plans to offer 10.5 million seats for the 2011 summer season, almost 7% more than the same period in 2009. The company plans to open new bases in Amsterdam and Toulouse to foster its international growth.

Catalan ski slopes attracted thousands of tourists this holiday season. Between the 24th December and the 9th January, heavy snow and pleasant weather conditions ensured an increase in visitors compared to this time last year. Ski-resorts in the Pyrenees contribute greatly to the tourism industry in Catalonia.

The Spanish Vice President for Economy Elena Salgado refused the idea proposed by three Catalan parties to allow mortgage holders end their debt by returning their house to the bank. This measure already exists in the US and other countries. In Spain, a country with a high unemployment rate, many people are not able to afford to pay their mortgage. However, at the moment, debt does not disappear when banks execute mortgages and take away the house. Salgado wants to keep the current system in order not to harm the banks and thus the recovery, but at a high social price.