DOMESTIC FLIGHT PRICES TO RISE THIS WINTER

PALMA
FLYING to the mainland or island hopping this winter is not expected to be a problem but domestic air fares are probably going to be more expensive.
The Balearic Minister for Transport, Gabriel Vicens, gave assurances yesterday that the local government is going to do everything possible to make sure that the airlines do not reduce their domestic flight operations and connections in the Balearics this winter but, he had to admit that he fears an increase in domestic air fares.

The Balearic airline industry is facing a cold winter with the Palma-based Futura International Airline in administration and Spanair, also based in Palma, reducing operations and axing jobs as part of a major cost cutting exercise. But, every winter the Balearic government has to fight to convince the airlines to maintain their domestic links and with the islands and it is going to be at the expense of Balearic air passengers for them to agree with the wishes of the Balearic government this year.

Air fares have already been gradually bumped up this year by rising fuel costs and increased airport taxes and Vicens admitted yesterday that, if there is another surge in fuel prices and the airlines decide to reduce air links to the Balearics, there will be little the government can do. “Regular flights are vital to the islands, they are a lifeline for residents and for the moment, the airlines are not planning any changes to their winter flight `programmes,” the Minister said yesterday.