It's becoming a common occurrence and it was especially evident on Friday - the queuing of cars to get to arrivals at Palma Son Sant Joan Airport and pick up family or friends.
A taxi driver, Xisco Sánchez, explains that drivers wait in one of the two access lanes to the airport, which can mean that cars are backing up on the highway. They do this rather than having to pay the fee for the car park after the first fifteen minutes (which are free)
"One of these days there's going to be an accident." In his twelve years as a taxi driver in Palma, he's never seen anything like it.
"As they don't know exactly when people will arrive, they park outside and occupy the bend. Taxis have to zigzag to enter the airport, avoiding cars that have stopped. I saw a bus the other day that had to get on the hard shoulder in order to get by, as there were so many cars." He says that this usually happens in the late afternoon but is becoming more frequent. He fears that the problem will increase with the start of the tourism season.
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Most airports in the US now have mobile phone waiting lots near the airport. Once the passenger is ready to be picked up, one can drive in a quickly be on your way. The fault is in the terrible design of Palma’s airport.
I agree with Marvin. It cost 1.4 euros to park in the multi storey for around 40 minutes. Fine them is the usual method. It costs £5 to drop off at Manchester....free in Palma and a fortune to pick up.
The car park only costs a euro or two at most for a usual stay. It is often less if I time it right and only there for about half an hour. I’d imagine this problem to be more likely at some UK airports where the costs are eye-watering in comparison.
I see this all the time, the Spanish are tightwads.