O’Leary anger

RYANAIR CEO Michael O'Leary has described a new wave of daily French air traffic control strikes disrupting flights to and from Spain as a 'scandal'. The budget airline boss has warned that holidaymakers ‘face chaos’ throughout April due to the industrial action.

“The French are going to get worse and worse for the next three and four months”, O'Leary predicted.

He added: “People are really f****** p***** off with flights getting cancelled left, right and centre because the French are on strike.” tion.

This has led to many hotels and other establishments to already hang up the ‘no vacancy’ sign, according to news agency Europa Press. Melia Hotels International, for example, has reported a 22% rise in sales compared to 2019 thanks both to price rises and the return of tourists from key markets such as the UK and Germany. This boost has been felt in particular in the Canary Islands, where hotels are already above 65% occupation levels.

Barcelo Hotel Group also reported a rise in sales, with average occupancy expected to be 10 percentage points above that of 2022, and a major boost in revenue. As for flights, bookings for trips into Spain are just 3% below the numbers for the same period in 2019, Spanish daily El Pais reported, while domestic flights are up 12% on four years ago, the last Easter before the coronavirus pandemic hit. But there are worries that strikes in Germany where unions want above 10% pay rises could have an impact on popular destinations for Germans like the Balearics. The strikes have hit the aviation sector as well as ports and trains.

Disruption

Ryanair launched a petition last month aimed at getting one million signatures from passengers in order to force the European Commission to take action to prevent further disruption being caused by the French strikes.

“I hope to really lay out what I have learnt here at Vida in Mallorca.”

In particular, his steak tartare was splendid, while his burrata salad on a bed of rocket was delicious. There is a chilled, relaxed feel about the place and the tropical style wood interior and excellent music is conducive for fun.

“We are trying to create a concept of sharing and a laid-back, friendly vibe,” explains marketing boss Ben Henderson, who works for the Umami group that owns Vida. “We have gone for a rainforest Amazon look with tables made in Germany shaped as trees.”

Upstairs the team from Umami have also just opened their brand new Tree House restaurant that has fantastic views across the marina and into Palma old town. Previously 49 Steps, it is a superb open plan terrace, focussing on a light sushi menu with a few extra hot dishes. There are DJs from 8pm and you can eat until 11pm. Enjoy the groovy vibes.

HAYFEVER sufferers will be able to breath easy this year. According to the SEAIC allergology society, 2023 will likely be mild for allergy sufferers.

By using a model based on historical data and weather forecasts, the society has predicted that spring will be mild for pollen on the Mediterranean coast but a little worse in areas such as Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura.

SEAIC reported that coastal cities such as Barcelona, Alicante and Murcia will see pollen levels of between 1,000 and 1,200 grains per square metre, rising to 2,000 in inland urban centres such as Lleida and above 4,000 grains in areas south of Madrid.

The cold winter has had an effect on pollen levels, in particular from cypresses and conifers, which are usually the first to shed their grains.