Mallorca rejects airport growth for more passengers

Plans to increase passenger capacity at Mallorca and the Balearic Islands’ airports are facing opposition from the regional government. In Palma, Mallorca, on Friday, the government said Aena should spend on easing the airports’ impact rather than handling more passengers. It says it set out that position in a letter signed by Housing, Territory and Mobility minister José Luis Mateo on 6 May.

The letter concerned DORA III, Spain’s airport regulation plan for 2027 to 2031. The government says its requests were made before the central government approved the plan, but that Aena’s published account wrongly suggests the Balearic proposals backed a capacity expansion.

Transport links and lower charges sought

The government wants better ground transport around the airports and separate pick-up and drop-off areas for scheduled services, occasional transport, taxis and VTC private-hire vehicles. It also calls for investment to improve connections between different forms of transport.

Its list includes funding for a future train stop on the route to Llucmajor as it passes the airport, along with airport technology upgrades and measures to adapt infrastructure to climate change. It also seeks a new control tower on Menorca and lower airport charges to improve connections during the winter months.

Call to rethink DORA III

The ministry says the airport expansion plans in DORA III do not answer the Balearic Islands’ requests, adding that some proposals were not considered at all. It has urged Spain’s government and Aena to rethink plans to expand airport capacity and activity.

It wants spending to match the regional government’s policy of limiting the islands’ authorised tourist accommodation capacity. The government is also seeking stronger powers for the Airport Coordination Committee, arguing that Balearic institutions should have a greater say in how the airports are run.

Topics: Tourism · Politics · Llucmajor

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com