Tourists have taken to social media to express their anger and disgust at the conditions passengers are facing on either arriving or leaving the holiday airport
Holidaymakers have criticised the “absolute chaos” at Majorca’s airport, amid warnings that the situation could worsen as the peak summer season approaches.
Frustrated travellers are venting their fury on social media over the conditions they’ve encountered upon arrival or departure from the popular holiday destination’s airport. Complaints are mounting about extensive queues, bins brimming with rubbish, disruptive construction work, and lengthy detours requiring up to 20-minute walks due to ongoing “improvements” that began in 2022.
Tourists argue that Palma airport’s state tarnishes the Spanish island’s image and could deter people from choosing Majorca for their holidays. This wave of criticism follows recent reports of Tenerife airport’s overcrowding, where passengers endured long waits in “inhumane” conditions.
Majorca now finds itself under similar scrutiny, with a flurry of videos posted online illustrating the airport’s congestion and inadequate facilities. The Spanish newspaper Diario de Majorca reports that what was meant to be a warm welcome for thousands has turned into a source of complaints and mockery, as many visitors, particularly tourists, share footage of their chaotic experiences.
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One user juxtaposed the serenity of a Majorcan cove against the airport’s pandemonium, highlighting overflowing bins and litter-strewn floors amidst the construction zones. The lack of order and ongoing construction work at the airport has left passengers frustrated.
“Maybe I know it’s because it’s under remodelling hahaha, but there were many things that didn’t work,” one traveller penned. Another shared a video taken on a typical Tuesday afternoon, captioning it: “This is Majorca’s airport on any given Tuesday… and it’s chaos.”
The footage reveals a main corridor packed with passengers, leaving little room for normal circulation. A third disgruntled passenger posted: “You have to walk half a marathon through the airport. It’s an aberration.”
This isn’t the first time Son Sant Joan airport has been the butt of viral jokes. The meme account @mem.es. meme recently shared a video that has racked up over 70,000 views, poking fun at the lengthy walks passengers have to carry out to exit the terminal.
Diario de Majorca has reported that some improvement have been made. “Although in recent weeks more direct accesses and better signage have been put in place as part of the remodelling works started in 2022, the memory of labyrinthine corridors, poorly indicated temporary detours and routes of up to 20 minutes on foot is still very much alive,” the publication wrote.
“The high season has barely begun, and with it, the criticism of facilities that, according to many users, are not yet ready to withstand the influx of travellers expected in the coming months.”
Palma airport is currently undergoing a major transformation set to be completed in 2026 with a significant investment.
Recent milestones include the unveiling of the new security filters last November, now situated on the second floor, as part of a 550 million euro investment. Another significant development is the new connecting walkway between the main building and module D, which will enable boarding to be accessed through the centre of the building rather than the end, thus reducing walking distances.
This infrastructure will have two different directions. While the entrance is already operational, the exit access isn’t anticipated until the summer of 2025.