19/06/2012 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—The excess demand for landing slots at Palma airport at peak times since the start of May has resulted in a growing number of “pirate flights” landing without proper authorisation, Air Navigation Director Ignacio Gonzalez reported yesterday. He said that these aircraft are arriving at Palma airport without having an allotted “slot” (an agreed movement for landing and take-off during airport operating hours.)
Gonzalez explained that these irregular landings have the effect of disrupting the normal operations of the airport and result in delays in those flights which are properly authorised.

It is assumed, said Gonzalez that these “pirate flights” will be even more frequent over the next two months and will mean that the average delay time allowed (currently of 0.19 minutes per flight) will be pushed up.

Tomás Ferrer, Regional Director for Air Navigations said in fact that in July, August, and September, there are going to be 4 percent less flights landing at Palma, 4 percent less on Minorca and 8 percent less on Ibiza. “But this doesn't mean that there are going to be less passengers using the airports. It's simply that the airlines are using larger planes with higher capacity. It's a tactic used to help save on fuel costs.” He said that were there to be political upheaval in Greece or Egypt this summer and holiday-makers wanted to come to the Balearic Islands instead, Palma airport has the “ability to absorb” the extra workload.

During a week in peak season, said Ferrer, 5'287 flights are taking off or landing on Majorca, 2'097 on Ibiza and 1'066 on Minorca.