"Neither more expansion nor more promotion": Palma and Ibiza clamor in the street against the growth of the airports

PalmaThousands of people took to the streets of Palma and Ibiza this Sunday (where the Police speak of 4,500 people and the organizers, of 10,000 attendees) to protest against the increase in airport capacity and demand that the growth of air traffic be curbed. The demonstration in the capital of the Balearic Islands began at 6:00 p.m. in front of the Government Delegation and ended at the Consolat de la Mar, with the slogan 'No more expansion, no more promotion'. The protest was convened by the Platform against Airport Expansion and was attended by neighborhood, environmental, and social organizations.

Before starting the march, a first manifesto was read in front of the Delegation. One of the most applauded moments was the appearance of Madò Farta, who participated in the mobilization with the banner 'Airport expansion NO. We continue fighting, we do not give up'.

Throughout the route, chants of 'No to the expansion' and 'Neither more expansion, nor more promotion' were repeated, while the streets were filled with banners with various demands. Among other protests, there were also those from neighborhood groups affected by airport activity and from platforms demanding the preservation of other areas of the territory.

Upon arrival at the Consolat de Mar, the protesters gathered the posters and banners in a large protest display before the reading of a second manifesto. The organizers demanded a reduction in the number of commercial flights, the limitation of private jets, an end to night flights, and progress towards greater participation of the Balearic institutions in airport management.

The protest comes after the DORA III forecasts were made known, the document that sets Aena's investments for the 2027-2031 period. In the Balearic Islands as a whole, the forecasts point to an increase in capacity and the arrival of up to 50 million passengers by 2031. In the case of Palma, the investment planned by Aena exceeds 600 million euros.

The spokesperson for the Platform against the Expansion, Pere Joan Femenia, argued during the day that the Islands have already reached their limit and has demanded that the number of flights be reduced. He also focused on private flights and new air connections, while the entities have questioned that the increase in capacity does not imply an increase in tourism pressure.

Simultaneous protests in Ibiza and Barcelona

The mobilization in Palma coincided with two other protests against airport plans. In Ibiza, nearly 10,000 people according to the organizers and 4,500 according to the National Police, marched through the streets of the city called by the Ibiza Youth Association. The march ended with the reading of a manifesto against the airport reform project and the increase in capacity.

In Barcelona, the Zeroport platform also called for a large demonstration this Sunday against the expansion of El Prat airport. The protest took place during the morning and had the support of hundreds of organizations and groups. In this way, Palma, Ibiza, and Barcelona experienced simultaneous mobilizations this Sunday against airport growth plans.