The Balearic Government has prepared a report on the future management of the archipelago's airports which will be presented to the State Government urgently, in which it asks for a special, decentralised ruling for the Islands airports and for them to remain under public management with intervention from their local governments.
The Government is concerned that the announced part-privatisation of AENA may be harmful to the Islands' financial and social interests and considers it vital that the airports remain under public management as they are fundamental to a seasonal economy based on tourism and to a community that is island-bound. There needs to be a guarantee of a universal service "that puts quality and competence first", without forgetting financial viability. A decentralised and individual management is needed, with the participation of the Balearic Government and Island and Town Councils, so that each airport can opt for the strategy it considers necessary, such as in setting prices, introducing new routes and markets or encouraging out-of-season tourism.
Room for improvement
The Government's report points out that, although Menorca Airport has a debt of 139.78 million euros, there is "a signifcant margin for improvement". Compared to similar European airports, Menorca could improve routes, commercial income, operating costs and investment planning.
Last year 2.4 million passengers and 2,621 tons of cargo passed through the airport on 28,188 flights.
AENA unions call for industrial action
The unions CCOO, UGT and USO in AENA have decided to call for "permanent industrial action" of all workers in airports, control centres and central services in protest against the Government's plan to privatise 49% of AENA (which manages Spanish airports and services). Sources in the UGT have stated that if the unions do not receive a positive response to their demands "it is certainly probable" that a strike will be called at the beginning of the year, the intensity of action depending on the result of negotiations with the Government. The unions insist that, if strikes are called, they will try to "minimise" the impact on passengers as far as possible.