Plans for the winter in Mallorca Airport

THE Balearic Government plans to open a public tender for airlines to operate flights between the islands and the main European markets during the winter.

The aim is to solve the problem of seasonality which exists between October and March when the frequency and number of flights falls by 75 per cent. 

The General Manager of Ports and Airports, Xavier Ramis, says that tourism products are required so that launching more flights is profitable. If this is possible, it will benefit the islands commercially and provide work for people throughout the winter.

This summer is proving to be the best in three years for inland tourism in the Balearic Islands, but while the months from May to September register good occupancy levels and profitability, between October and April, 98 per cent of inland accommodation closes, and this is mainly due to the lack of airline connections. 

There are 190 inland establishments in the Balearic Islands, which attract both Spanish and European tourists. They complain that there are few flights in the winter and those available are more expensive.