Palma calls for resident discounts of 45 per cent

Central government came under fresh pressure from Palma yesterday to increase discounts on domestic flights and ferry services for residents from the current 33 per cent to 45 per cent. Balearic government spokesperson Antoni Garcias said yesterday that the resident discounts have been practically cancelled out over the past few months because of the increase in tickets caused by extra security costs, which the ferry companies will have to meet later this year, and the rise in airport taxes at the start of the year. He said that in order to ease the burden on residents, discounts have to be increased to at least 45 per cent. However, a special joint commission involving Madrid and Palma has been finally set up to decide how best the Balearics is going to be compensated for its insularity, but Garcias said that the Balearic government is asking Madrid to draw up a schedule so that the commission can get to work as soon as possible.