Spanish airline Air Europa has firmly denied rumors that Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was in any way involved in securing state aid during the pandemic. Company representatives stated that neither the airline nor any member of the owners’ family sought Gómez’s assistance or mediation in obtaining subsidies, nor did they make any payments to her.
In its statement, Air Europa notes that in recent days, media outlets published interviews with former ministerial advisor Koldo García, claiming the airline allegedly enlisted Begoña Gómez’s services to expedite financial support from the Fondo de Apoyo a la Solvencia de Empresas Estratégicas in 2020. However, Air Europa’s management emphasizes that no member of the Hidalgo family, which owns the company, discussed, considered, or undertook any actions related to paying Gómez for her services or involving her in the subsidy application process.
Company response
Air Europa specifically emphasizes that there were not only no payments made, but also no requests for mediation or assistance from Begoña Gómez. The company insists that the prime minister’s wife had no involvement in the administrative process related to the allocation of funds. According to representatives of the airline, all subsidy procedures were carried out strictly in accordance with established regulations and under the supervision of relevant government authorities.
The company stresses that the process for receiving assistance was fully transparent and met all legal requirements. Not only government agencies took part in the process, but also independent consulting and law firms that provided favorable opinions after their review of Air Europa’s application.
Scandal context
The surge of interest in this issue arose after a series of publications hinted at possible influence by Begoña Gómez on the decision to provide funds to Air Europa. In particular, meetings between airline representatives and the prime minister’s wife were discussed during the period when the carrier’s rescue was being decided. However, Air Europa vehemently denies any suggestions of informal agreements or attempts to pressure officials.
The company’s management notes that all actions related to obtaining the subsidy were documented and carried out with the mandatory involvement of the relevant ministries and agencies. Air Europa asserts that none of its employees or representatives contacted Begoña Gómez for assistance, and any rumors about her involvement in the process are untrue.
Air Europa’s Position
In its official statement, the airline again emphasizes that the entire process of obtaining state support was conducted in strict accordance with the law. The company stresses that it received positive assessments from all involved public and private entities and successfully passed all necessary checks for compliance with administrative regulations.
Air Europa also points out that during the pandemic, many of Spain’s strategic enterprises faced the threat of bankruptcy due to a sharp decline in passenger traffic and forced suspension of operations. In these circumstances, government support became the only way to preserve jobs and maintain stability in the aviation market.
The Role of State Authorities
The company notes that the decision to grant the subsidy was based on a comprehensive review involving both government bodies and independent experts. All documents and reports related to the process are available for inspection and confirm the legality of Air Europa’s actions.
Thus, the carrier rejects any allegations of procedural violations or attempts to influence officials through third parties. Air Europa insists on its complete transparency and readiness to cooperate with regulatory authorities to confirm the openness of all stages of receiving state support.
