THE abandoned terminal A at Son Sant Joan airport is going to be temporarily used as Palma´s convention and exhibition centre.
The council confirmed yesterday that the move from the current exhibition centre on the Levante industrial estate in Palma, which has been the main site for trade fairs since 1989, to Palma airport will be completed this month. The new site, which covers an area of 5'835 square metres on two floors, was yesterday visited by the minister of commerce Josep Juan Cardona.
The ground floor will be used for exhibitions, while the first floor will be used for offices and a convention hall. The new infrastructure, situated in the old check-in and international departure area, has been chosen as an ideal site for both exhibitors and visitors. To aid the transition from terminal to convention centre a number of changes have had to be made; walls have been knocked down to make way for new plumbing, electrics, heating, sound systems and flooring.
Apart from these modifications a new reception, entrance hall, toilets and meeting points have been constructed. According to the council, at least 15 exhibitions or shows are planned for this year and the majority will be taking place in the converted terminal.
The idea to use the terminal was agreed by AENA (Spanish airport authority) which offered the council the use of up to 35'000 square metres until Palma´s new convention centre is completed.