As elsewhere, people in Mallorca and the Balearics are concerned about airline fuel supplies and the potential impact on their ability to travel. The president of the Aviba travel agencies association, Pedro Fiol, says: "Every customer is asking if they'll be able to travel. The concern about the fuel supply is real and understandable. Everything being reported in the media is unsettling for the travel sector, especially in a region like the Balearics, which is highly dependent on air travel; it's no small matter.
"The information they receive through social media, often without the necessary context, is generating even more distrust. Almost every request we are currently receiving for any travel that involves a plane ticket comes with the same question: whether they'll ultimately be able to travel normally.
"As of today, we don't foresee a scenario with planes grounded this summer, but it is likely that we will see operational adjustments by airlines. We're talking about rescheduling linked to efficiency and profitability criteria. Margins are shrinking, and that could lead to certain lower-performing routes being discontinued in order to reinforce others with higher demand and greater profitability.
"The fuel supply in Spain is more guaranteed than in other countries, since nearly 80% of the oil used by planes is refined domestically. There again, air travel doesn't depend solely on the point of origin. The plane has to refuel at its destination, so no one can guarantee that there won't be repercussions if the situation continues."
Travel agencies themselves have taken a hit but not a massive one. Revenue is down by up to ten per cent compared with initial forecasts. "There is something of slowdown in sales due to the geopolitical uncertainty. It is clear that customers are thinking twice before spending money on their holidays. We are not talking about a standstill, but rather greater caution in decision-making. Our message remains one of calm. The interest in travelling continues, but uncertainty is the main obstacle at the moment. And in the tourism sector, confidence is everything."
As to a recovery in sales, Fiol says two things can happen. "Either customers will eventually normalise the situation, as usually occurs when the war stops dominating the news, or we won't return to true normality until the conflict ends. Right now, we're in that in-between stage, where uncertainty outweighs any other factor. Demand will recover, but it will be tied to confidence."