Mallorca airport row: Government opposes expansion

In Palma, the Balearic Government said on Friday that it will oppose airport investments that add passenger capacity. Vice-president and spokesman Antoni Costa said it supports spending on safety and modernisation, but not projects that could increase the flow of tourists. The dispute centres on DORA III, Aena’s airport planning document.

Speaking after the Consell de Govern meeting, Costa said the Government would resist any capacity expansion and criticised Aena representatives for what he called their “rigidity”.

The Socialist PSIB party says the paperwork tells a different story. It says that in July 2026 the Government, alongside other regional administrations, requested structural investments aimed at expanding capacity, including work on terminal buildings, aprons, runways and airfields.

According to PSIB, the projects were intended to absorb demand growth, avoid overcrowding and maintain service standards. The party accused Balearic President Marga Prohens of lying after she said she was alarmed by a forecast of 50 million passengers at the archipelago’s airports in 2031.

Government sources deny requesting an expansion. They pointed to a letter seeking airport improvements not linked to higher passenger numbers and intended to reduce the infrastructure’s impact on the territory. PSIB says safety and sustainability measures are separate from work that would raise operational capacity or passenger numbers.

Topics: Tourism · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com