NEWS
22 - 28 November 2012
EWN
www.euroweeklynews.com
ALMERIA’S almond industry is under threat unless production costs come down. A conference was told that American and Australian almonds are pricing the local product out of the market. In those countries, each hectare of almond trees produces up to €9,000, while in Almeria a hectare produces just €450.
ALMOND TREES: In blossom.
Costa de Almería
Low-cost Alicante jet set LOW-COST airlines have accounted for more than half of the air traffic using Alicante’s El Altet airport so far this year. They transported 32.9 million passengers to the end of October, representing a 1.7 per cent rise over the same period last year. In contrast, traditional companies moved 23.1 million passengers from January to October, up 2.8 per cent. However, figures for October saw a general decline of 6.1 per cent. Passengers from the UK and Germany lead the entries in low-cost carriers, with 36.1 per cent and 19.7 per cent of passengers choosing this path; a decline of just 0.1 per cent for the UK and 0.6 per cent for Germany.
A lifeline for families THE latest Spanish Cabinet meeting has brought breathing space to those facing eviction. A package of new measures will now
halt proceedings for two years for ‘vulnerable’ families. “This is an urgent response to alleviate the worst effects of the economic crisis,” said Vice-President Soraya Saenz de Santamaria. The government also intends to provide more social housing with affordable rents for those without homes. The measures will apply to families where total annual income is less than €19,164 and mortgage payments now account for at least 50 per PROJECTS: To include replanting damaged areas. cent of net income. To be eligible, families must have dependants children, the elderly, THE Andalucian govern- ramps, replanting areas disabled or seriously ill ment is investing €9million damaged by wildfires, in their care. One in a plan to create forestry planting trees to prevent member has to be longjobs in 82 villages in the soil erosion – and term unemployed. province. ultimately flooding – and These people will be It is part of a wider underground drains. able to remain in their regional investment of It is hoped the project homes without charge for €200 million that will lead will lead to environmental two years, said Economy to 11,000 jobs. and rural regeneration as Minister Luis de Guindos, Projects include lining well as create jobs in areas adding that the move ditches, building speed hard hit by the crisis. came ‘as a great relief’.
Forestry jobs
ROB WILSON / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Almond alert
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EL ALTET AIRPORT: easyJet and Ryanair both fly here. Italy was down 3.3 per cent in passengers with 9.9 per cent of the total low-cost airline arrivals, followed by France with 6.1 per cent; an 15 per cent increase on 2011.
The development of low cost airline tickets in other markets was mixed. The largest percentage increase was in Denmark, with 29 per cent more through October.