An associate of former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has told a National Court judge that Zapatero orchestrated the 2020 bailout of airline Plus Ultra in exchange for a fee of roughly 530,000 euros — about 1% of the 53-million-euro state rescue. Businessman Julio Martínez Martínez, testifying as a suspect, said Zapatero directed that the commission be invoiced through various shell companies and spread across payments lasting until 2026.
Martínez also acknowledged continuing payments to What The Fav, a firm owned by Zapatero's daughters, for nearly three years after its services ended, saying Zapatero personally asked him to keep paying. Plus Ultra's leadership has corroborated the 1% commission claim, stating the airline paid that sum for Zapatero's mediation.
The testimony contradicts Zapatero's June 2026 denial of involvement. The government has reiterated its support for the former prime minister's presumption of innocence.