Palma airport handled 4,009,687 passengers in May, an increase of 4.9% on the same month last year, according to figures from the airport operator Aena. The rise comes as relations between the Balearic government and Aena have become increasingly strained.
The May figures
| Passengers | Change | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 834,288 | +3.7% |
| International | 3.17 million | +5.2% |
| Total | 4,009,687 | +4.9% |
Over the first five months of the year, the airport handled 10.6 million passengers, 2.4% more than in the same period of 2025.
Passengers are not the same as tourists
Airport figures count everyone who arrives or departs, including residents and people travelling for work, so they do not translate directly into tourist numbers. In April, for example, passenger traffic rose by 2.6% while the number of tourists visiting Mallorca fell slightly. The stronger growth in May suggests tourist arrivals also increased, but official tourism statistics for the month will not be published until early July.
The dispute with Aena
Aena, which is 51% owned by the Spanish state, manages Palma airport, and decisions on its capacity are taken in Madrid. The Balearic government wants a say in how the airport is run, including on flight slots and passenger capacity during the summer peak, arguing that growth must be compatible with the islands’ limits.
Tension rose after Aena forecast that Palma could handle up to 36 million passengers this year. Balearic president Marga Prohens said the operator had “exhausted this government’s patience”.
The bigger picture
In 2025 the airport handled 33.9 million passengers, around four million more than in 2019, before the pandemic, when it recorded 29.7 million. If the current trend continues, this year will set another record.
For the regional government, that raises questions about capacity, the environment and residents’ quality of life — and strengthens its case for a role in airport management. For Aena and the airlines, the figures reflect the continuing strength of demand for the islands.
