I certainly believe that is what you saw. Unfortunately, as is so often the case in ATC v the FD is that the FD hasn't got a clue about what goes on behind the scenes in ATC which may influence these apparent illogical (to the FD) decisions. As I said, I have in these very forums read complaints from foreign crews about favouritism to BA at LHR. There is no way an UK ATCO would even go there. There are multiple reasons for plans to be changed at short notice, most of which will never be apparent to you on the FD. With such a busy airport as PMI it can happen there just as it can happen at LHR.

Irrelevant statement! And just in case you don't know, Spanish is an official ICAO language.

There are to the best of my knowledge, no plans to increase the terminals here in PMI, even considering the big jump in flights this year. What has been a very big change from previous years is the number of flights on remote stands due no only to the great increase in flights this year compared to last, but their timings. What has to be remembered is that PMI is very "peaky". Other than a few national flights going out 0600-0630, nothing really happens till about 0700 when the first German wave arrives. When the Germans are departing around 0945, the first big wave of UK flights starts to arrive, these leaving around 1230. After that, it is pretty quiet till 1300-1400, when the Air Berlin hub flights come in. This is not as big a deal as it was, with AB running far fewer flights on this basis than in previous years. Once they have gone, the airport just ticks over until about 1900 when the evening traffic starts. This carries on till about 2300, and the tails off. What UK crews see in the morning does not carry through the whole day, and come winter time, other than a bit of German traffic, the place is all but dead to international flights.

If they weren't crossing an international border (e.g. flying PMI-MAD) then it's perfectly legal for all comms to be in the local language.

Actually no, worked 2.5 years in the UK and 43 years in Europe with multiple European nationalities.

Majorca had an almost 11% increase in passenger statistics last year. 197,639 movements taking it back to 2007 levels.

Anyone reckon it'll be busier yet again this year?

It may well be, just as no doubt other Spanish airports will be too. With Turkey, Greece, and several North African countries no longer in favour with the tourists, Spain has experienced a notable increase in tourist traffic (as reflected by their prices too)!

I think you may need to take Greece off that list. I believe bookings there are up.

True, they are up, but nowhere near previous levels.....yet.

EZY opened a base with 3 based aircraft, Germania based one aircraft and today Eurowings opened their base with 4 aircrafts and they want to increase the number to 6 next year.

In the below article you can find the current market shares at PMI
http://www.airliners.de/eurowings-mallorca-basis/41486

I don't think any of them will be flying to London Heathrow or have Club Class available like British Airways do though.

Total direct flight movements from LHR to PMI by BA now exceed one daily (two a day on Saturday and Sunday) although at the expense of the Cannibalisation of the three Iberia Express flights that were still operating from LHR last year (2016) and the 7 IB Express LHR to PMI slots the year before (2015).

Unfortunately BA cash fares are usually very expensive on this route compared to IB Express but Avios redemption seats in Club are quite plentiful in the Low and Shoulder summer season period in May, June, September and October.

Record PAX and aircraft movements last year, I wonder when it'll hit capacity? Almost 28,000,000 pax through 208,787 movements.

28 million pax to pmi, am i reading this right?

Yep - you certainly are! :-)

I seem to read that the airport is working towards its next capacity target of 35 million. To give credit where it is due, AENA has put money to good use over the past 18 months or so, in making the terminal better and especially for the non schengen flights which use the former Terminal A, as the previous tiled floor there that was ripped up just a few months ago, dated back decades to when Caravelles and 727s were on the apron.

Never knew it was such a big concern lol, ah well

They'll have to expand for sure. The current terminal/parking arrangements can't surely handle 35 million pax. A lot of the aircraft can end up on the remote stands.

Flew in yesterday, first time in 2 years. The tiled floor looks much nicer and brighter. But its chipping so easy. It's a shame really.

What's the plans for the airport? They hotels charge €30EUR city tax for a week. Surely not all of it is going elsewhere.

Heathrow A/p.

Hotel tax in Mallorca varies according to the star rating. Also after so many days it reduces, not sure if its 7 or 10 days.

Oh lordy! Saw this on twitter....


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6423afb4f3.jpg