By Jason Moore
THE Balearic government is said to be furious at central administration´s plans to reduce or even scrap discount travel for residents between the islands or to the mainland.
It would be a real nightmare if the discount of 50 percent was withdrawn both for travellers and the airlines and shipping companies. I am not surprised that Balearic President Francesc Antich is concerned, the backlash would be enormous. However, even with the discount it is still cheaper to travel to Britain or Germany than to Mahon or Barcelona from Palma. If the central administration is forced to withdraw the discount then they should ensure that the airlines offer competitively priced tickets. Surely, with some government help, cheaper flights could be introduced especially if the no frills airlines were allowed to get involved.
Like in Britain the government is looking at ways of saving money and the flight discounts is just one of the options which is on the table at the moment. Antich is due to hold talks with the central administration next week and already the local tourist industry has come out and said that he must stand his ground and not accept any reduction. Antich is facing a very turbulent time but he must stand firm.