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: