The regional transport ministry reckons that a flat-rate, inter-island flight tariff would result in a 33% increase in passengers (200,000 more) and have an economic impact of 24 million euros. The increase would correspond to 140,000 more passengers between Majorca and Ibiza and 60,000 between Majorca and Minorca.
The minister, Marc Pons, explained this to parliament earlier this week in outlining latest advances in discussions with the national ministry of development. The figures will be used to justify the tariff, which the national ministry has to raise with Brussels. Meetings which have already been had with EU officials have made clear the regional government's wish that the tariff would be set at a maximum of 30 euros per flight.
The national ministry, Pons said, has been given the regional government's "maximum collaboration" in developing proposals to be made to Brussels, and he expressed his confidence that the tariff will soon be given the green light. The secretary-of-state for transport, Julio Gómez Pomar, has told Palma that he will have all he needs to present the proposals in the middle of this month.
"It is essential that the national government is involved in this matter," observed Pons. "Without its support, the tariff plan couldn't be moved forward. We have therefore made great efforts in convincing the government of the need for the tariff and of its benefit to the public."
All political parties in parliament back the tariff, which would involve a modification to the current special economic regime for the Balearics. Pons asked parties with representation in Congress to forward information in order to assist in ensuring that the tariff can be introduced as soon as possible.
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