April 2022 | Page 20

News
Airport report
Around 45 % of arrivals at Málaga ’ s airport last year travelled with Ryanair or Vueling , according to the Costa del Sol Tourist Board . Flights from London continued to lead those from other cities , although the total number of UK arrivals was still over 70 % down on 2019 , before the pandemic began . The report also showed arrivals from the Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries were particularly strong .
Nerja lookout
The Torre de Miel in Nerja , built in the late 16th century as a lookout for pirates , has appeared on a Red Heritage List published by the Hispania Nostra Association because of its poor state of conservation . Part of the tower at the mouth of the Miel river , east of Maro , has already fallen into the sea . It is one of 12 important cultural constructions in the province listed as being at risk of disappearance or destruction .
Musical meeting
Andrew Lloyd Webber was in Málaga last week for a meeting with Antonio Banderas who wants to bring one of Webber ’ s musicals to the city . Banderas emphasised that discussions were underway , but that , “ nothing has been finalised yet .” During his visit , Webber visited the Málaga-born actor ’ s Soho theatre in the city .

Extra news briefs ...

Inadequate care
A Málaga court has ordered the city ’ s Hospital Clinico to pay € 2.6 million in compensation to a couple after their baby was disabled for life during delivery . The birth in October 2014 left the infant 95 % disabled and totally dependent . Last month ’ s ruling found that medical attention had been inadequate and that a delay in carrying out a caesarean operation had caused disproportionate damage and suffering to the baby .
Marina plans
The regional government has promised to publish plans for a marina in the Calaceite area of Torrox “ before summer .” Proposals for a huge development between Nerja and Torrox have been in the pipeline for years , but were revived last May when Torrox took a majority holding in the developing company . As well as the marina , a new golf course and over 3,000 homes are expected to be built over 100 hectares of land .
Charging points
Two recharging points for electric vehicles have been installed at the Axarquía hospital in Vélez-Málaga . Initially for the use of staff , each can charge up a middle-range car in three to four hours . The move further reduces the energy consumption of the Axarquia Hospital , despite the hospital ’ s floor space recently increasing by almost 10 %.
Expo promotion
Málaga ’ s mayor , Francisco de la Torre , was in Dubai last month promoting the city ’ s candidature for Expo 2007 . He told a specialist audience that the theme adopted by his city underlines that now is the time to give a sustainable response to the population increase in cities . Málaga ’ s bid is backed by the Spanish and Regional governments , plus Malaga University and 170 major commercial names including Vodafone Orange , Telefónica , Barceló , Meliá and Carrefour .