Most of the readers of the Majorca Daily Bulletin will be all too aware of the campaign for more winter flights the paper has been running for the past two years and a number of individuals have even taken the matter up with their local MPs and now the Chief Executive of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary.
He did reply in a “strictly private and confidential” letter but he made it quite clear that the airline does not consider operating direct flights between Scotland and Palma in the midwinter financially viable because the weather, in both destinations, is not conducive for the numbers of passengers the airline needs to make a profit.
However, in general, flight connections between the UK and Palma are going to be greatly improved this winter with Jet2 leading from the front. The airline and tour operator made it clear in Palma at the end of the summer that it would “love to be flying to Palma every day of the year”, and it appears that this winter it is taking its first step towards achieving that goal.
And increased flight connections from the UK are helping to make Palma become more accessible as a year-round destination, which is the aim of the local authorities.
Jet2 is to start its 2016 flights from Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Edinburgh from February and March. Twice-weekly flights from Manchester begin on 11 February, with an increase to three times a week from 5 March before the normal summer schedule of 20 flights a week is introduced in May. Services to Palma from Leeds Bradford will start on 26 February with two flights a week before increasing to the normal summer schedule of 12 times a week. Twice-weekly flights from Edinburgh start on 3 March on Thursdays and Sundays, increasing to five times a week during the summer. The new flights represent a total capacity of 10,228 seats during February and March 2016.
Summer 2016 will see Ryanair increasing frequency from Birmingham to Palma from daily flights to nine departures a week. Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling is raising the number of flights from Cardiff to Palma to three times a week from 28 March, with daily flights between June and September. Aer Lingus will increase flights from two to five a week from Belfast City Airport, representing 25,000 more seats for next summer over this year.
And Britons coming to Majorca this winter, should the euro remain weak, are going to be quids in. The increased purchasing power of the pound against the euro and other European currencies is giving British travellers up to 13% more spending power this winter over last year. The good value available to UK visitors has been boosted by sterling starting to rise in value against European currencies in the past two weeks.
The strong pound means visitors to all 12 of the cities surveyed will have greater spending power than last year - almost 12% more in Eurozone destinations. Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: “Sterling’s strength brings glad festive tidings for shoppers visiting Europe. “Not only will they have up to £60 more in their pockets when they change pounds into European currency, but they will also benefit from the low prices in many cities.”
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No mention of Iberia Express who are operating between Palma and London Heathrow throughout the Winter. Most months they are flying 4 times per week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
I had a look at the Jet2 sight and it was cheaper to fly to Tenerife in February with a 22 kgs baggage allowance than it was to fly to Majorca in February,now here's the thing,you are seeking some winter sun and fun so do you fly to Majorca where it won't be that warm and most of the resorts will be like ghost towns and most of the attractions closed or do you fly to Tenerife where it will be MUCH WARMER with blue skies and sunshine with everything open,lots of things to do for free and where it's also cheaper.?
I had a look at the Jet2 sight and it was cheaper to fly to Tenerife in February with a 22 kgs baggage allowance than it was to fly to Majorca in February,now here's the thing,you are seeking some winter sun and fun so do you fly to Majorca where it won't be that warm and most of the resorts will be like ghost towns and most of the attractions closed or do you fly to Tenerife where it will be MUCH WARMER with blue skies and sunshine with everything open,lots of things to do for free and where it's also cheaper.?
Jet2 maybe flying from February but gave you seen the return price for one week from 14 Feb without a hold bag? It is 477GBP ie around 650 euros ... For February? That will have them flooding in. Maybe Jet2 are advertising them as "Beat the tourist tax flights?"
Please stop blaming the airlines. It is the Mallorquins at fault. The general backward attitude. The lack of seeing that high quality serviced apartments is now booming in tourists areas around the world. Hotels are generally still in the 70's. Tourist tax introduced. Mallorca wants Mallorca for the Mallorquins. Heard of a friend yesterday all paperwork in order, back account embargoed, found out an unpaid speeding fine - accumulated fines €1500 - on the photo it is their mechanic caught speeding on a downhill bit !!! when taking car to itv, 3 years ago !!! They have been told to pay 700 fine to settle it. No letters received even though address is correct. Island is backward and only sees the foreigners as the ones to rip off.
Not happy with Jet 2 ' s Prices for February 16. The Bulletin need to increase their campaigns for Flights, Attractions and Accommodation during the Winter. NOT JUST FOR PALMA--There are other parts of the Island that become Ghost Towns. With no Hotels, Attractions and very poor transport facilities.
Good News re flights from Edinburgh c/o Jet2 but still there are NO flights from anywhere in Ireland from end Oct to end March each year. A whole EU country and part of the UK completely cut off from Mallorca for 5 months and Michael O'Leary is Irish! Come on Easyjet or Jet 2 or Aer LIngus or yes even Ryanair help us get to our Mallorcan homes, Mallorcan walking holidays, Mallorcan cycling, Palma city breaks, visit resident family and friends etc etc
Excellent news, and at least Scots can get flights from Edinburgh now. I hope those in Mallorca who are paid to promote tourism will make sure that all events and available accommodation are promoted on-line in several languages.