Costa Blanca

The Nightlife Industry in Alicante Files Lawsuit Against ZAS

The two Acoustically Saturated Zones (ZAS) in Alicante were approved by the Governing Board more than two weeks ago, and the entertainment and hotel industries are still waiting for their public display so they can voice their concerns.

Despite a proposal that would severely restrict the hours of the terrace and venue by up to three hours compared to the present closing time and lower the occupancy of outdoor seating by about 50%, business owners are refusing to give up. The industry is alarmed by these restrictions and warns of “layoffs and economic losses” if they are put into effect.

The measures are crucial to the Alicante Association of Restaurants and Leisure Venues (Alroa), who view them as “invalid” given the recent approval of the new noise legislation. These already have an impact on when outdoor seating opens across the city.

The association contends that because terraces now close at one in the morning instead of 2:30 a.m., it is impossible to assess the present noise measurement system. They so maintain that the outcome “will not be the same.” Once they have the material, Alroa will use it to support their objections, but they will also go the legal path.

At this stage, the corporation intends to propose “precautionary measures,” so even if the text is approved after the objection period, it might take some time for the hours to take effect.

Since it is currently required to publish the file for the presentation of objections in the public exhibition, resolve them, and give the final text to the Conselleria, one of the most important factors is when the hours will be shortened. The group notes that no one can predict how long the procedure may be delayed if it is further judicialized.

There are other judicial proceedings going on as a result of Alicante’s noise pollution. Since the end of January, the hospitality industry’s appeal against the judgement requiring the application of a ZAS on Castaños Street has been pending publication of the ruling.

Alroa claims that they find it incomprehensible that the municipal council launched a ZAS before waiting to learn the conclusion of this process. Additionally, they believe it is unrealistic given that the Noise Ordinance, which also calls for hourly decreases, only went into effect a few months ago.

Additionally, the hospitality industry is calling for the prompt implementation of several of the ZAS application’s suggested actions, like stepping up police presence in party zones. According to the sector, they have been demanding this measure for years “without response from the City Council,” along with the revision of licenses and penalties for infractions by recreational establishments not only in the historic centre but also throughout the city.

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Related Topics:Alicante Council Police Public

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Costa Blanca

Moldovan mobster arrested in Torrevieja

A 37-year-old Moldovan male has been taken into custody by the Guardia Civil in accordance with an Italian European Arrest Warrant (EAW). Known as “thieves in law,” the detainee belonged to the Russian-Soviet criminal organisation VOR V ZAKONE, which was committed to committing significant crimes.

The arrest happened on February 28th in Torrevieja while Guardia Civil officers were performing a public safety duty. While on patrol, they spotted three people on a restaurant terrace and saw one of them attempting to hide after spotting them. The officers became suspicious of this behaviour and went on to identify him.

After doing technical examinations, the authorities concluded that the person’s Romanian passport, which was of excellent quality, was a fake. After being detained and brought to government facilities, his fingerprints were recognised, proving his identity.

On March 2th, 2022, the Verona Criminal Court sentenced the detainee to 11 years in prison for international criminal conspiracy offences of a mafia nature. The detainee was a member of the VOR V ZAKONE organisation, which was committed to committing crimes against people and property using mafia-style intimidation, threats, and violence.

The man had been hiding in Spain since the sentencing, using fictitious paperwork to evade discovery. To ascertain whether the fugitive has committed crimes in Spain, the Guardia Civil is still looking into the matter.

The detainee was taken to the Court of First Instance in Torrevieja, where he was ordered to be detained until his extradition to Italy.

The Guardia Civil underlines its commitment to combating international crime and deals another blow to organised crime with this operation.

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Alicante to Seville daily with new Ryanair schedule

During the summer of 2025, Ryanair will run daily flights between Alicante and Seville.

The company plans to connect the two cities on a daily basis from today, March 27th, until October 25th. This year, the connection is strengthened with a flight every weekday, in contrast to the 2024 summer season when the route ran six days a week (with double frequency on Sundays and no flights on Wednesdays). Additionally, Ryanair plans to launch eight weekly flights in April 2025, with the addition of a second daily frequency on Saturdays.

Reaching 125,581 passengers in 2024, the link with Seville, the capital of Andalusia and Spain’s fourth most populous city, saw stratospheric growth. Compared to 2023, when the route carried 58,361 people between the two cities, this number marked a 115% increase.

A potential increase of frequency on the Alicante-Elche and Seville route has not been ruled out, and Ryanair will soon release its 2025–2026 winter schedule. Given the ongoing increase in demand on this route, the Irish airline may be planning to improve connection, as it ran five weekly flights during the previous winter season.

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Benidorm could start fining illegal tourist properties by Easter

Since the formal transfer of authority is anticipated to take place next week, Benidorm may start immediately fining unlawful tourist accommodations as early as Easter. Marián Cano, the Regional Minister of Innovation, Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, made this announcement as an indication of the advancements made in working with local councils to keep an eye on the tourism industry’s underground economy. The city councils of Alicante, Castellón, Elche, Torrevieja, and Benicarló are among the other municipalities that have stated their intention to take on this responsibility. This progress has already been formalised in Valencia, where the transfer of powers has been completed and all the procedures are prepared for approval next week in Benidorm.

In her response to a parliamentary question, the Nuciera councillor discussed the issue in Les Corts and stressed that the new tourism inspection plan “is not a continuation of the previous one, but rather an improvement that introduces more effective measures, strengthens institutional collaboration, and better responds to the needs of the sector.” She stressed cooperation with local governments in this regard in order to provide “more effective inspections and a swift response to irregularities.”