The Airport Debate

The eighty plus hardy souls who, on a bitter December 1st night attended the debate at Mood, Costa D’en Blanes were not disappointed. As Honoury President, Kate Mentink commented to guest speakers, Air Berlin’s, Alvaro Middelmann and Airport director Nemesio Suarez, “Brilliant”.

The evening began with an explanation by Sr Middelmann of the position and history, both Europe-wide and in Mallorca of Air Berlin, followed an equally concise outline of the how’s, what’s, where’s and when’s of Son San Juan Airport by Sr Suarez. The floor was then thrown open for a question and answer session.

Would Air Berlin be operating out of the UK?  What happened to the planned ‘hub’ at Stanstead? Any chance of reductions in the cost of carrying golf clubs? Why were charges for golf clubs introduced in the first place? Will Air Berlin be staying in Palma or moving to Barcelona. What effect would the new BA / Iberia merger have on local flights? Would Air Berlin consider trying again for a British ‘hub’? Was it true that Barcelona and Madrid airports were to be sold? Would Son San Juan be sold? Could Winter landing and handling charges be slashed? Was AENA to be privatised? The list was long with no easy options and no easy answers.

Interestingly, following the airport and airline Q & A, our speakers were only too happy to give their opinions on the tourists industry in general, from labour laws to taxes, from the present crisis to their hopes for the future, ( A certain Geoff Kenyon of Wellies was audibly delighted to find a kindred spirit in Sr Middelmann on the subject of labour legislation !  ).

A full thirty minutes later than planned, we had to call a halt to proceedings and so ended one of the most interesting debates we have had the pleasure of organising. We will definitely consider organising an ‘Airport Part Two’ in the New Year.

What stood out as we all trooped off from the warmth of Mood into the night was the positive attitude, both from the floor and from our speakers plus the surprising amount of agreement achieved on a number of vexed topics. The last word came appropriately from Alvaro in reply to a lightly barbed ‘if only’ question which was, “with real help from the Government we could do so much more”.

Our thanks to Srs Middelmann and Suarez for giving their time to explain and inform. It’s what EporE is all about after all!  

Thanks too to those who came to participate and join us in EporE and finally, our heartfelt thanks to Margaret Whittaker for providing the perfect venue, the room, the systems, the staff and most important her support ( not to mention a few glasses of fine wine thrown in for good measure ).