Plus Ultra’s top management has confirmed to the National Court that a 1% commission was paid to intermediaries, including José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to obtain a €53 million state bailout. The admission details the sums and the urgency behind the decision.
Senior executives at Plus Ultra have formally acknowledged to Spain’s National Court that they agreed to pay a 1% commission to secure a €53 million state rescue for the airline. The payments, which were made during the pandemic crisis, were linked to the mediation of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his associate Julio Martínez Martínez. This admission, revealed in documents accessed by EL MUNDO, marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the controversial bailout.
According to the statements submitted by Plus Ultra president Julio Martínez Sola and CEO Roberto Roselli, the company turned to Zapatero and Martínez Martínez as a last resort to avoid collapse. The executives explained that, while they did not have direct evidence of the specific actions taken to influence the State Industrial Participation Company (SEPI), they accepted the need to contract Martínez Martínez due to his connection with Zapatero. The arrangement included a clear understanding that a commission would be required for the mediation efforts.
The breakdown of the 1% commission, totaling €530,000, was detailed in the filings. Payments were made to several companies controlled by Martínez Martínez: €249,000 to Análisis Relevante, €98,617.53 to Voli Analítica SL, and €110,799.47 to IOT Domotic Europe SL. Additionally, business class tickets valued at €69,000 were provided as part of the compensation. The executives noted that, although a formal settlement was not finalized, the total amount paid matched the agreed percentage.
The relationship with Zapatero began after the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, when former Plus Ultra shareholder Rodolfo Reyes advised Martínez Sola to contact Manuel Fajardo—Zapatero’s known alias in Venezuela—to seek urgent financial support. Following this advice, Martínez Sola received a call from Zapatero himself, who indicated he could assist and that further communications would be handled by Martínez Martínez. While no mention of fees was made in the initial conversation, the expectation of payment became clear as negotiations progressed.
Over the following weeks, Plus Ultra’s leadership met repeatedly with Martínez Martínez to define the strategy for accessing the rescue funds. On 26 February 2021, Martínez Martínez informed the airline that a favorable proposal for SEPI aid had been secured, with approval expected at the Council of Ministers meeting on 9 March. The executives’ admissions align with earlier revelations in the case, including those reported when the airline’s president first named Zapatero as a key figure in the bailout process. For further background on the unfolding investigation and the political implications, see this detailed coverage on the Plus Ultra president’s testimony regarding Zapatero’s involvement.
The Plus Ultra case has drawn national attention due to the scale of the public funds involved and the high-profile figures named in the proceedings. The SEPI rescue fund, established to support strategic companies during the pandemic, has faced scrutiny over its selection criteria and transparency. The involvement of a former prime minister in facilitating access to state aid has intensified calls for oversight and accountability. As the judicial process continues, the case may set important precedents for how political connections and lobbying are handled in future state interventions. The outcome could influence both public trust in government bailouts and the regulatory framework for corporate rescues in Spain.
