Menorca–Barcelona winter flights cut by 16.7%

Menorca, in the Balearic Islands, faces 16.7% fewer scheduled flights to Barcelona from November 2026 to April 2027 than in winter 2025, according to the island’s Socialist Party (PSOE). Its leader, Pepe Mercadal, raised the figures on Friday, 6 November 2026. The People’s Party (PP) blames Spain’s central government for the loss of flights.

Fewer flights, fewer options

Mercadal says the new cut follows an 8% fall last winter compared with 2024. He says one airline serves the route from November to April and reduced flights by as much as 36% in some weeks last year.

For Menorca residents, the PP says the issue is whether they can find seats at affordable prices throughout winter. It points to journeys for work, medical care, education and family.

Parties split over a proposed fix

The PSOE wants to revive a proposed public service obligation (OSP) for the route. Mercadal says it would have set a minimum number of daily flights and capped fares. Socialist candidate Marc Pons says he will ask the Ministry of Transport to take up the plan again in the next parliamentary term. The party accuses Menorca’s island council president, Adolfo Vilafranca, of blocking it.

The PP disputes that account. Its candidate Joan Mesquida says the European Commission raised objections in May 2025, questioning whether the proposed requirements were sufficiently justified and warning that some conditions could reduce flight supply. He says the central government confirmed in September 2025 that it would not pursue the proposal. The PP wants the ministry to work with airlines and Balearic institutions on better connections.

Topics: Air travel · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com