AEFCA, the Spanish association that coordinates time slots, points to a total of 9.96 million seats from November 1 to March 31. The increase represents a new record, topping that of 2023/2024. For Palma, 7.4 million seats are scheduled (up 3.6%). Ibiza shows a 7.9% increase (1.7 million seats), whole Mahon has the highest percentage rise - up 17% to 802,268 seats.
The number of flights at Son Sant Joan will be down by six per cent, but planes with greater capacity explain the rise in the number of seats.
Ryanair has the highest number of flights in Palma, followed in order by Vueling, Air Nostrum, Air Europa, Eurowings, Swiftair, Iberia, Discover Airlines and easyJet. The majority of the top destinations are in Spain - Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, Mahon, Valencia, Alicante and Sevilla. The three international destinations with the highest demand are all German: Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt. There was no mention in the report about more flights from Britain.
Although it doesn't follow that an increase in scheduled seats means the same rise in the number of passengers, the implication of the increase is that the islands are gradually moving in the direction of reducing tourism seasonality. This said, the scheduling isn't even over the five months. March is the favoured month. The routes being served are loaded towards the Spanish and German markets.
In respect of the UK market, the Balearic Government's AETIB tourism strategy agency has signed a strategic co-marketing agreement with Jet2 with the aim of increasing connectivity during the low-season months.
This year there was some concern for Easter tourism because of a lack of flights. This was because Easter Sunday was March 31. The airline schedules weren't adjusted to this. Easter Sunday in 2025 is April 20.
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WiggyI haven't heard that EES requires bank or credit card data. In fact, there's nothing even remotely resembling that mentioned in the description of it. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/data-held-ees_en Or perhaps it's another secret communist conspiracy that nobody knows about? To be fair, there apparently was a politician or some minister suggesting that Balearic hotels should forward bank account/card details of every guest, but so far, the evidence of it ever happening seems to be limited to tabloid articles. But that's local bullshit, not EES.
No way on earth would I hand my bank details and whatever to a so called EES system and why do they need my bank details? Surely passport details are enough? And who is going to have access to everyone's details? Sounds ludicrous to me.
Nobody fancies a boarded up English resort in the winter. Why would this year be any different?
Also many people from the UK do not want to be bothered with the new EES system and associated bureaucracy and are booking other winter and summer 2025 destinations which offer more interest and better overall quality and value for money. I don’t think Spain and Majorca realise the big effect and impact that the new EES will have on them , and many people in the UK are against this scheme and after many years of delay don’t want to get caught up in long delays upon arrival in Majorca and other EU countries. It’s interesting that some EU countries are refusing to take part so will reap the benefits of increased numbers of tourists.
I think the Spanish have always preferred the Germans to the British. Hopefully they'll fill the gap as the British market declines, but not to the continued detriment of the housing situation. A number of people I have spoken to have changed their minds about coming to Majorca, which is understandable in the circumstances.