The Spanish government has approved plans for a new air traffic control centre serving the Balearic Islands, with the facility set to be moved from Palma Airport to the nearby Son Bonet aerodrome in Marratxi. The project was signed off by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday and will cost an estimated €81.4m, excluding VAT.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has authorised ENAIRE, Spain’s state-owned air navigation operator, to begin the tender process for the development. The scheme includes relocating the headquarters of the Balearic Regional Air Navigation Directorate and building a new Air Traffic Control Centre on land at Son Bonet.
Officials said the construction contract will be put out to open tender with a projected completion period of 32 months. Once finished, the new site will take over operations currently based at Palma de Mallorca Airport.
The move is expected to free up space at Palma Airport for a wider programme of refurbishment and expansion works being carried out by airport operator Aena. The airport is undergoing a major overhaul aimed at improving passenger facilities and operational capacity.
The Balearic Islands are among Spain’s busiest tourist destinations, with Palma Airport handling millions of passengers each year, particularly during the summer season. Authorities say the relocation forms part of a broader strategy to modernise air traffic infrastructure across the region.