Mallorca airport plan targets 50 million

Palma's Balearic Parliament has seen most parties line up against an airport plan that envisages 1,030 million euros for the islands' airports and nearly 50 million passengers by 2031. The Council of Ministers approved DORA III on Tuesday, 16 September. DORA III is the airport regulation plan for 2027 to 2031.

Europa Press

PP, Unidas Podemos, Més per Menorca and MÉS per Mallorca oppose the document. Vox has not made its position clear.

Parties attack growth plans

PP parliamentary spokesman Sebastià Sagreras said Madrid viewed the islands' airports as "cash registers" and argued that the proposal runs against the Balearic Government's measures to contain tourism.

MÉS per Mallorca spokesman Lluís Apesteguia also rejected the investment, saying Aena was focused on raising revenue. He said state money should instead make airport facilities more comfortable and accessible for residents and airport workers.

Més per Menorca deputy Josep Castells called the plan a rush towards "infinite growth" that could lead the Balearics towards collapse. Unidas Podemos deputy José María García said the works planned at Menorca Airport leave out a new control tower, despite problems including leaks and falling material at the current one. He said a motion would be brought before Spain's Congress to seek a replacement tower.

Socialists call forecast an estimate

PSIB deputy spokesman Marc Pons said DORA III was Aena's estimate based on the current economic and legal conditions. He said the Balearic Government had given the airport operator no reason to expect tourist air traffic to fall.

Pons pointed to the Sustainability Pact, whose outcome he said remained unclear, and to the failure to approve a rise in the ITS tourist tax. He also criticised the lack of action against illegal offers, the Consell de Mallorca's effort to open new air routes and the absence of limits on purchases of second homes.

He said the Government would need to take decisions against tourist overcrowding if it wanted Aena's forecast not to materialise. Sagreras rejected that argument, saying airport expansion should have happened in earlier terms if it simply followed traffic projections.

Mallorca airport plan targets 50 million passengers by 2031

Parties attack growth plans

Socialists call forecast an estimate