Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is facing renewed scrutiny after new claims emerged that he accepted dozens of business-class flights from airline Plus Ultra—a carrier that later received a controversial government bailout.

The allegations, published by Spanish outlet Libertad Digital, come as Spain’s ongoing “Plus Ultra case” continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the government’s €53 million ($62 million) rescue of the struggling airline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alleged Business-Class Travel Under Investigation

According to the report, investigators are examining claims that Zapatero received 46 business-class flights on Plus Ultra as part of a broader compensation arrangement tied to people connected with the airline.

Watch: Julio Martínez corners Zapatero over the Plus Ultra bailout — La Vanguardia

The flights reportedly covered routes between Spain and Venezuela, where Zapatero has maintained a high public profile for years through his diplomatic efforts and political contacts.

The allegations surfaced after testimony from businessman Julio Martínez, who reportedly told investigators that the former prime minister’s travel was connected to individuals involved in the airline and its financial backers.

Spanish investigators are now reviewing whether those flights represented:

• An undisclosed personal benefit.
• A legitimate business expense.
• Or a form of indirect compensation that should have been reported.

Authorities are also reportedly examining whether the value of the flights could have tax implications if they are determined to have been personal benefits.

The Controversial Plus Ultra Bailout

The investigation stems from Spain’s decision in 2021 to provide €53 million in public funds to rescue Plus Ultra through the country’s pandemic business-support program.

The bailout immediately became controversial because critics argued the airline represented only a tiny share of Spain’s aviation market and questioned whether it met the legal requirements for government assistance.

The rescue has remained under political and judicial review ever since, with investigators examining the airline’s finances, ownership structure, and the decision-making process behind the government aid.

The latest allegations involving Zapatero have added another layer to an already politically charged case.

Zapatero Denies Any Wrongdoing

Zapatero has consistently denied receiving illegal payments or commissions related to Plus Ultra.

His representatives have maintained that neither he nor his associates engaged in unlawful conduct and have rejected suggestions that his international activities were connected to the government’s financial support for the airline.

Government officials have likewise defended the original bailout, arguing it was approved under existing legal procedures designed to protect strategic companies during the pandemic.

No criminal charges have been announced against Zapatero in connection with the newly reported flight allegations.

Opposition Demands More Answers

The latest claims have fueled fresh criticism from Spain’s conservative opposition.

Leaders from the People’s Party (PP) and Vox have called for investigators to fully examine the reported flights and determine whether they constituted undeclared benefits.

Opposition lawmakers have also urged Spain’s tax authorities to review any travel perks linked to the case while pressing for additional testimony from individuals involved in the bailout.

Supporters of the investigation argue the public deserves a full accounting of how taxpayer money was used and whether any public officials or politically connected figures benefited from the airline.

What Happens Next?

Spain’s National Court continues to review financial records, witness testimony, and airline documentation as the investigation moves forward.

Among the issues investigators are expected to examine are:

• The origin and purpose of the reported 46 business-class flights.
• Whether the travel constituted a reportable financial benefit.
• Any potential links between those flights and the government’s rescue of Plus Ultra.

At this stage, the allegations remain part of an active judicial investigation, and no court has concluded that the reported flights were unlawful.

As additional witnesses are questioned and financial records reviewed, the Plus Ultra case remains one of Spain’s most closely watched political and legal investigations.