Mallorca airport veto sparks colonialism claim

A plan to give the Balearic Islands a shared role in running their airports has hit a wall in Madrid. In Palma, Mallorca, on Friday, Més per Menorca spokesman Josep Castells called the Spanish Government's move to stop the bill progressing in Congress “a form of state colonialism”. He raised the row with Balearic president Marga Prohens at the start of the new political year.

The Spanish Government says the airport co-management law, already approved by the Balearic Parliament, would cut income for airport operator Aena. It says the loss would have to be covered by funding from the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility.

Castells said Madrid did not want the islands to decide over their airports because the state makes substantial money from them.

He also pressed Prohens to act on tourist overcrowding, which he described as the root of the Balearics' problems. He linked it to damage to the natural environment, water shortages, housing difficulties and pressure on public services.

Més per Menorca wants to raise the sustainable tourism tax to 11% of visitors' bills. The party estimates the measure could bring €800 million into the autonomous community's coffers.

Formentera deputy Llorenç Córdoba also asked for state funding to help the island authority care for the hundreds of migrant minors under its guardianship. He said Formentera has one minor for every 47 residents, compared with one for every 56 in Ceuta.

Córdoba further called for all documents to be published on the change in policy over permits for sun loungers, parasols and beach kiosks on Formentera, following the dismissal of the responsible director general.

Topics: Migration · Sea & coast · Social affairs · Tourism · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com