The Government has been in talks with airlines operating in Russia, Scandinavia, Britain and other central European countries as they try to secure an increase in the number of flights to Mallorca during the off-peak season.
One of the main complaints from tourists and second-home owners in Mallorca has been about the lack of flights during the winter season. The main aim of increasing the number of flights during this time is to allow Mallorca to flourish as a winter destination that can offer much more than sun and sand, with activities like cycling and hiking,or cultural activities and festivals to enjoy.
A number of incentives have been agreed by the Development Committee of Air Routes for Son Sant Joan (Palma) Airport who will now enter negotiations with the airlines, focusing on flights in 2013 and 2014 between November-March. The Government have twenty contracts with airlines from Russia, Scandinavia, Central Europe and also the UK with EasyJet, Monarch and Ryanair who are all due to increase the number of routes they operate.
AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation) which owns Palma Airport are already offering reductions to airlines of 20% on airport fees for existing routes and 50% for the first year on new routes and 25% in the second. The Government has been using these incentives as well as free advertising space and promotion through social media to encourage airlines to fly here.
As far as passenger incentives are concerned, Palma council will offer passengers on the first flight of each route free travel on the Palma sightseeing bus, or free entry to the Bellver Castle, or Pilar i Joan Miró Foundation.
