barcelona

The Irish low-cost airline has announced six new destinations from Barcelona El Prat Airport, as well as an increased frequency of flights on several existing routes. Ryanair has decided to occupy part of the market share left by Spanair after it went bankrupt 10 days ago. Furthermore, Ryanair’s President Michael O’Leary, replied to Spanair workers unions, who complained about the poor working conditions offered by the Irish company to hire them. “Nobody is obliged to work for Ryanair”, he said.

Barça wins “the Oscars of sports”. FC Barcelona beat out the Dallas Mavericks, the Red Bull Formula 1 team, the All Blacks, the English national cricket side and the Japanese women’s national football side to win the Laureus World Team of the Year award. Messi and Abidal were also nominated. This award, which gives FC Barcelona worldwide recognition, will be added to FC Barcelona’s athletic and social achievements.

Barça overcame freezing temperatures and an injury to Busquets to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Camp Nou. Tello and Messi scored for the FC Barcelona. The Catalans continue their race to overtake Real Madrid topping the Spanish League.

The Spanish Government has signed 23 bilateral agreements with other countries that fix Madrid Barajas as the only airport in Spain where their flights can operate. This discriminates against Barcelona El Prat Airport by not permitting it to have international and intercontinental connections. The European Parliament has unanimously approved an amendment presented by a Liberal Catalan Nationalist MEP from CiU.

Barça managed to get a valuable draw in Valencia in the first leg of the Spanish Cup semifinal, in a game where Jonas put the home side ahead, and Puyol equalised with a header. The Camp Nou will decide who’ll go through to the Spanish Cup Final.

The Brandery is an urban fashion trade show which holds two editions every year, one in summer and the other in winter. The Brandery winter edition was held from the 27th through to the 29th of January 2012 at the Montjuïc fair trade complex.

A quick guide for the foreign visitor to the Catalan capital where the only thing you spend is…energy. Going to the CCCB art centre, walking across the Boqueria Market, or discover Barcelona's Cathedral are some of the suggested activities.

During four intense days, the ceremonial hall of the old Palau del Rei (King’s Palace) of Barcelona, the Saló del Tinell, became a catwalk full of glitter, aromas and, above all, glamour.

The Catalan airline has a debt of €474 million; €260 million of which is with its shareholders and the remaining €214 millions with providers, airports and social security. The Catalan Government has invested €140 million in the airline, split in loans given to the company and in Spanair’s capital. Spanair stopped all its activity on Friday evening because it could not find any additional funding. All the more than 12,000 Spanair passengers passing through Catalonia over the weekend found an alternative flight using other airlines.

A hard working display from Barça wasn’t enough to see off Villarreal in a hard fought game the visitors had the best chances in, including a shot against the woodwork from Cesc on 78 minutes.

Vila-real vs FC Barcelona is a crucial game for the Catalan club. Barça go to Vila-real with important absentees as they chase three more points to keep Spanish League leaders Real Madrid in their sights.

Due to the impossibility of finding extra capital, the Barcelona-based airline’s board has taken the decision to cancel all its flights and to suspend the company’s activity. Negotiations with Qatar Airways broke down, which forced Spanair’s board to analyse the company’s viability. The Catalan Government, which partially owns the airline, has refused to invest more money in the company, and thus Spanair stopped flying. Passengers will be refunded and will be able to buy discounted tickets with other airlines.

From January 27th to February 5th, those who live in the Catalan capital will enjoy discounts on cultural products, markets, restaurants and hotels throughout the city. The initiative aims at energising the economy at the end of January and stimulating Barcelona citizens to discover their own city.

This year's edition Mobile World Congress will be the first after Barcelona was officially declared the Mobile World Capital, and the organising city of this annual event until at least 2018. The MWC will start on February 27th with the motto “Redefining mobile”. More than 1,400 companies will be present and organisers expect to break last year’s records. There will also be three times more Catalan companies.

Exports from the Catalan capital’s port have increased by 14% when compared to 2010. Car exports grew by 25%. 3.8 million people passed through Barcelona Port; 2.6 million were passengers of the 881 cruise ships that docked in the city harbour.