Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba travel agencies association in the Balearics, says prices for flights from Palma to mainland airports over the festive period are "exorbitant".
"There are very few seats left, so those who haven't already booked their plane tickets to spend Christmas at home will have to pay outrageous amounts, if any seats are even available."
He cites the case of Malaga, for which there are no available seats. But if seats become available due to cancellations, passengers should be prepared to pay €300 per person to fly without checked baggage and with a resident discount between December 23 and 28, the most sought-after dates. "Those who already have tickets have paid €385. A couple wanting to travel with their two children to spend Christmas Eve with their parents in Malaga will have to pay around €1,200 without checked baggage and with a resident discount."
Flights to airports in Andalusia are in particular demand because of the number of Andalusians who live and work in Mallorca.
In the case of Madrid, Fiol says: "Flying from Palma to Madrid on December 23 and returning on the 28th, without checked baggage and with a resident discount, costs €155."
It was reported a month ago that the most economic flights for the festive period had been already booked. There is clearly a situation of supply and demand, Air Europa having responded to demand by increasing availability. In general terms, while there has been a reduction in the numbers of seats and flights for Palma this winter, this has mainly affected international flights (German especially) rather than national flights.