In Brief

From 3rd April the airline Ándalus will be operating flights between Menorca and Girona three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, using 50-seat Embraer 145 aircraft. From Girona the company offers flights to 50 national and international airports. Subject to demand Ándalus intends to continue the flights throughout the winter.

Tickets for the 30 to 45 minute flight will be on sale at between 65 and 100 euros. The company states that it has no plans to follow other airlines in charging extra for second suitcases.

Member of fraud gang arrested in Menorca

The Guardia Civil have arrested five people and charged one other in connection with a large scale financial swindle worked on a large number of small and medium businesses throughout Spain.

A private home in Maó was searched last week and a young man was arrested but later released after making a statement. Four other homes in El Escorial, Colmenarejo and Las Rozas (Madrid) were searched plus the plush offices of the company "Siempre comisiones bajas S.L." (Always low commissions).

The investigation started in March 2009 following complaints from businesses that they had been swindled after being persuaded to invest in the stock market or property.

The amount involved could run into millions of euros as the scam ran for more than eighteen months.

Es Mercadal has 28% foreign residents

The latest census figures show that 28% of Es Mercadal district's population is made up of foreign residents, the highest proportion on the island. Of the 5,559 citizens registered in the district, 3,998 are Spanish and the remaining 1,561 are from 49 different countries, 18 of which are in the European Union.

The highest number of immigrants, 586, come from the U.K., followed by Italy with 231, Germany 89 and France 81. The number of Moroccans has dropped from 94 in 2009 to 59 this year, now equalling the number of Peruvian residents.

Alaior plans 12 tourist projects for district

Alaior Council is to carry out 12 projects connected with tourism at a total cost of 1.5 million euros. Over half of the budget (817,000 euros) will go on five schemes in Cala en Porter, including improvements to the urbanisation's entrance, various streets and games area. Two projects in the town of Alaior will account for a further 508,000 euros.

Mixed results leave ViveMenorca fifth

Last Wednesday's game saw the local basketball team emerge the victors over Clínicas Rincón by 97:76. However, ViveMenorca failed to beat their hosts in their next match on Sunday, losing 77:68 to Club Melilla. As a result the team have now dropped to fifth place in the Adecco LEB Oro league. This Friday they will face Ciudad de la Laguna Canarias in an away fixture.

Valeriano Allés still third despite losing

The Ciutadella women's volleyball team, Valeriano Allés, were narrowly defeated by one set on Saturday, losing 3:2 to Haro Rioja. The team remain in third place but are now 10 points behind the leaders Jamper Aguere and 3 points behind Universidad de Burgos. Their next game is at home against Ciudad Las Palmas Cantur, currently in eleventh place in the Superliga.