Several travelers wait near the counters that handle flights to Ibiza or Menorca, seeking information about departures. This scene has become a common sight at Palma de Mallorca Airport, where Air Nostrum operates the bulk of inter-island services in the Balearic Islands.
Over the weekend, delays and cancellations affected the schedule as shown by official data. Air Nostrum reported that eight of its flights were suspended on Saturday, and eleven additional services between the islands did not fly on Sunday.
Passengers preparing to travel from Mallorca to Ibiza on Sunday night watched the screens with growing frustration as cancellations and delays appeared. Among those waiting were several youth sports teams returning from competitions held in the Balearic capital.
“It is cancelled!” several passengers exclaimed in front of the Son Sant Joan display. Just below the Palma to Ibiza route, the screen indicated multiple delays for the same leg.
Lack of information
With minimal guidance from ground staff and rising impatience, some travelers gathered at the gate for their flight, seeking clarification about what was happening. Airline personnel admitted they did not have all the reasons behind the delays but explained that the aircraft assigned to Ibiza had to complete a round trip via Menorca before heading to its final destination. The situation left many puzzled and frustrated.
One passenger noted that the flight scheduled for 21:30 had finally departed Mallorca only after a 12:30 departure time, turning a routine evening into a long wait. Several travelers agreed to delay boarding to align with compensation policies, arguing that a brief excursion could not justify a large payout to the airline for a mere few minutes of delay. The common sentiment was that the compensation offered did not seem fair, given the disruption experienced by families and groups alike.
Many travelers who had been moved from an earlier 6 p.m. flight found themselves stuck at terminals with little information. One person recalled wandering to Can Pastilla for a drink, returning to find no extra vouchers for food or drink—despite promises that meals would be provided during delays.
During the wait, another passenger explained that upon arrival in Ibiza there remained a further leg to Formentera, with the additional cost of a new ticket looming if needed. The plan to complete the journey soon spiraled into a scramble for last-minute ferry or travel arrangements, adding to the stress of the day.
<h2 Monday more delay
Early Monday brought renewed cancellations and postponements at Son Sant Joan. This time the focus was a flight to Menorca that had to wait for its aircraft to complete a hop to Ibiza before continuing to Menorca. Passengers faced new delays and mounting questions about the route and the timing of the return.
Facing the delays, some travelers purchased small food vouchers to cover meals as a courtesy from the airline, while others faced unexpected costs. A group of passengers with an 11:30 a.m. Ibiza service waited two hours past departure, finally receiving an updated status as the captain’s shift and a scheduled rest period collided with the timetable. This particular delay stemmed from a pilot-initiated work stoppage and a need to rework the schedule.
Bad weather and malfunctions
Air Nostrum stated that the weekend delays were not caused by the pilots’ strike, but rather by technical issues affecting two aircraft in the fleet. This explanation received support from the pilots’ union, which noted the fleet’s mechanical challenges as the primary cause of the disruptions. On Saturday, crew members attributed several incidents to a storm that rolled through the Balearic Islands, compounding already tight schedules.
Indefinite strike begins this Tuesday
Air Nostrum pilots announced an indefinite strike starting on Tuesday, after having limited operations on Mondays and Fridays since February 27. The pilots criticized the minimum service requirements set by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, which permit 90 percent coverage for inter-island flights and 65 percent for services to the peninsula. The action follows ongoing tensions between the airline and its flight crew as labor discussions continue.