In the summer of 2025, Mallorca’s Palma Airport found itself at the heart of major disruption, as travellers faced an array of issues ranging from industrial disputes to extreme weather events. During late July and early August, the airport was hit by ongoing strikes involving ground staff, which caused significant delays and cancellations. This situation was exacerbated by a weather phenomenon known as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), a type of isolated depression in the upper atmosphere that brought heavy rains and strong winds to the region. This combination of labour disputes and extreme weather led to chaos, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.
One of the key causes of the disruption was a series of disputes with ground handling staff, which affected the efficiency of various airport services, from check-ins to baggage handling. While some of these disputes were eventually resolved, one key dispute remained ongoing for a significant portion of the summer, continuing to impact operations. This unresolved strike, combined with the weather-related challenges, meant that even though some disruptions were cleared up, the overall impact on airport operations remained severe for many travellers.
Compounding the situation, Palma Airport’s air traffic control faced significant challenges. The combination of weather and understaffing meant that flights were often delayed or rerouted, adding to the backlog of passengers. The delays weren’t limited to just one airline; several flights from different carriers were impacted, leading to cascading delays that affected schedules throughout the day.
Despite the ongoing chaos, the situation briefly seemed to improve when a separate strike involving EasyJet’s cabin crew, which had threatened to add further disruption to the summer travel season, was called off. This offered a brief sense of relief for passengers, as it alleviated one of the major potential disruptions. However, the relief was short-lived, as the unresolved handling agent dispute continued to affect airport operations, particularly in terms of baggage handling and check-in procedures.
Reports soon began circulating that Palma Airport had become one of the most troublesome airports in Spain that summer, with many passengers complaining about significant delays and cancellations. Travellers found themselves facing long waits at check-in counters and security lines, while others were left without their luggage for extended periods. In fact, many passengers described Palma as one of the worst airports in Spain for flight delays that season, a reputation it struggled to shake off for the remainder of the summer.
This turbulent period highlighted broader operational issues at Palma Airport, as well as the vulnerabilities in its overall management structure. With air traffic control challenges, labor disputes, and unpredictable weather all converging at the same time, the airport’s resilience was put to the test. The disruptions also sparked debates about the need for better contingency planning, particularly in the face of industrial actions and severe weather events. Many experts pointed out that the airport’s response to the issues seemed reactive rather than proactive, leaving passengers to bear the brunt of the delays and confusion.
As the summer drew to a close, Palma Airport slowly returned to its usual level of activity, but the damage to its reputation had been done. Many travellers were left with lingering frustrations and a sense that the airport’s infrastructure and staffing levels needed urgent attention. The series of disruptions, both man-made and weather-related, also served as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of air travel operations, where even minor disruptions can quickly snowball into widespread chaos.
In the aftermath, Palma’s summer struggles became a case study in how complex the modern travel industry can be when several factors, such as weather, industrial disputes, and operational inefficiencies, collide. For many, the hope is that lessons will be learned, and that future disruptions can be better managed to avoid a repeat of such a turbulent season.