Koldo García Alleges Begoña Gómez's Key Role in Air Europa Rescue Amid Corruption Scandal

Allegations Surface in 'Koldo Case'

Koldo García, a former advisor to ex-Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, has made significant allegations concerning Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and her purported involvement in the 2020 rescue of Air Europa. García, who is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal known as the 'Koldo case' primarily related to mask procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic, claims Gómez played a 'key role' in the airline's bailout.

According to García, he was present during discussions where Javier Hidalgo, then-CEO of Globalia (Air Europa's parent company), suggested that Gómez should be 'compensated' for her 'good treatment' or intervention in the rescue process. García indicated that the proposed compensation ranged from '100 or 200,000 euros up to a million'. He further stated that he attended between 16 and 20 meetings at the Hidalgo family's residence where the rescue was discussed.

Begoña Gómez's Alleged Connections to Air Europa

Reports indicate that Begoña Gómez held several private meetings with Javier Hidalgo during the period when Air Europa was seeking state aid. These meetings reportedly took place at Globalia's headquarters in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, on June 24 and July 16, 2020. A third conversation was held telematically on July 24, 2020. These encounters occurred around the time the Spanish government established a €10 billion fund for company rescues and before the Air Europa bailout was formally requested.

The opposition Partido Popular (PP) has alleged that Globalia sponsored initiatives connected to Gómez and that she had ties to companies linked to the airline. Furthermore, a subsidiary associated with Globalia, Wakalua, reportedly sponsored the Africa Center, which was directed by Begoña Gómez, with €40,000.

Official Responses and Ongoing Investigations

Air Europa has 'firmly denied' any involvement of Begoña Gómez in securing state aid or that any payments were made to her, asserting that all procedures were conducted strictly in accordance with regulations.

While the Madrid High Court has previously dismissed attempts by the PP to reopen investigations into Pedro Sánchez's role in the Air Europa bailout, finding no evidence of wrongdoing by the Prime Minister or his associates, it did order the Office for Conflicts of Interest to investigate whether Sánchez should have recused himself from the cabinet session that approved the bailout due to his wife's alleged connections. This order came after the Office initially dismissed a complaint without a proper investigation.

Separately, a judge in the 'Koldo case' has twice rejected requests to summon Begoña Gómez as a witness, stating that journalistic reports were not corroborated by police investigations or existing documentation. Pedro Sánchez has consistently defended his wife and his administration, characterizing the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign.

Broader Context of the 'Koldo Case'

The 'Koldo case' is an ongoing corruption prosecution centered around Koldo García and former minister José Luis Ábalos. It involves alleged irregularities in mask procurement during the pandemic and has led to García's imprisonment due to flight risk. The case has also seen Begoña Gómez come under judicial investigation for other matters, including letters of recommendation for an entrepreneur whose firm secured public contracts.