Strike called off AN EXPENSIVE SWEET TOOTH

BAKERS and fliers are up in arms about the obligation enforced by airlines operating at Mallorca airport to pay extra to carry the famous local ensaimada sweet pastries on board.

Most travellers to the island, especially from other parts of Spain but also from elsewhere, make the most of their trip to purchase the traditional cake to take back home with them.

But increasing numbers of fliers are complaining that several airlines are demanding that they are paid for as if they were an extra piece of luggage ­ sometimes up to €45.

However, this reportedly only affects ensaimadas purchased outside the air­ port and not those bought in the duty ­ free shops, which manufacturers say places them at a disadvantage as increasing numbers of travellers are waiting to buy them at Son Sant Joan.

Airport managing body Aena has stated that “it is the policy of each airline whether they are considered extra carry ­ on baggage or not,” which has led the Bakers and Confectioners Association to call on the regional government and the Island Council of Mallorca to step in and protect the traditional product by not leaving the decision up to the companies.

Spokespeople for the sector report that customers regularly ask them whether they will be able to take the ensaimadas on board with no extra cost and that they need clear information on the issue from the authorities.

PALMA lifeguards have called off the indefinite strike they had announced for this week.

As reported last week by the Euro Weekly News , the lifeguards had announced a walk­out from Sunday due to the failure of the company that manages the service and Palma Town Hall to carry out a series of improvements and salary increases that were promised under the new contract.

Finally, a last ­ minute agreement was reached with the firm to apply a 35 per cent salary increase, although spokespeople for the service warn that there are still many demands that have not yet been met.

THE direct flight between New York and Palma will be relaunched on Friday May 26 and is already having an impact on local businesses.

United Airlines first launched the connection in June last year, but the good results and positive predictions for this year encouraged the airline to bring the service forward by one week.

And the move seems to have paid off, as reservations for hotels and Michelin­star restaurants in the capital city by North American visitors have spiralled ahead of their arrival.

Spokespeople for the Palma Hotel Association have reported that reservations for the boutique hotels in the Casc Antic have outdone all expectations and many are already fully booked thanks to travellers on the New York­Newark flight.

SON SANT JOAN is currently among the 10 busiest airports in Europe.

From this month, Palma is one of the European airports with the most traffic and already registers more flights than before the pandemic with an increase of 7 per cent with regards to the same period in 2019.

This makes it, together with Istanbul International Airport, the only one in Europe to increase the number of flights in May compared to four years ago.

The figures were published this week by Eurocontrol, which reveal that from May 9 to 15, Son Sant Joan registered an average of 760 departure and arrival flights ­ a 1 per cent increase from last year.

This places Mallorca airport in ninth place above London Gatwick, that closes the top 10 with 746 flights during the same period and which is still at 9 per cent less air traffic than in 2019.