The president and CEO of Spanish airline Plus Ultra have resigned from their posts as a corruption investigation deepens into the carrier's €53 million state bailout granted in 2020.
Julio Martínez Sola and Roberto Roselli were summoned by National Court Judge José Luis Calama to testify as suspects on Sept. 7 and 8. Written submissions filed by the executives implicate former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in negotiations for the rescue loan. Court filings acknowledge that €530,000 was paid — roughly 1% of the bailout — to companies linked to businessman Julio Martínez Martínez between 2020 and 2025 for alleged intermediary services.
Martínez Sola told investigators that Zapatero called him from a hidden number on April 30, 2020, offering help to secure credit. A separate search of Zapatero's office uncovered roughly 100 jewels valued at €1.3 million, leading to smuggling and tax fraud charges. Minority shareholder Hugo Castaño is set to become executive president, pending state approval.