Palma de Mallorca (PMI) Airport Guide
from www.anyairportcarhire.com
SUMMARY
Palma de Mallorca airport is the main airport for the Balearic Island of Mallorca/Majorca. An alternative name for Palma de Mallorca airport is the Son Sant Joan airport. Because so many tourists come here during the summer months this is the third busiest airport in Spain and in 2009 21.2 million passengers passed through Palma de Mallorca airport. As well as being a hub for Air Berlin the airport is a base for Air Europa and Iberworld. There were originally two main terminals, terminal A (which is mostly used for domestic flights to mainland Spain) and B, but because the airport grew so rapidly, terminals D and C were added. Right now capacity is 25 million passengers but this could increase to 38 million passengers by 2015 after improvements are carried out.
HISTORY
Air traffic started on Mallorca in the form of sea planes connecting with the other Balearic Islands during the 1920s. In the 1930s an aerodrome was set up for flights to mainland Spain. By 1938 military aviation had started at Palma de Mallorca airport but Lufthansa and Iberia began commercial flights. Between 1954 and 1958 the runway was extended and a new terminal was built to accommodate to the increasing demand for passenger travel. By 1962 annual passenger numbers had reached one million so another terminal was built in 1965 - terminal A - and Terminal B was completed in 1972. The main terminal deals with the international traffic and was designed by a local architect named Pere Nicolau Bonet. It was officially opened in 1997.
DIRECTIONS
Palma de Mallorca Airport is located five miles to the east of the city of Palma in Majorca, near to the village of Can Pastilla. Getting to Palma de Mallorca Airport from the capital is easy. Take the autovia towards Santanyí and follow signs for the airport.
FACILITIES
There are information desks (902 404 704) in Arrivals and Departures. Although there are no hotels at the airport you can book hotels in Palma from here and they are only a short drive away. Staff are on hand to answer questions and they can be recognised by their distinctive blue jackets. It is easy to get your hands on money as there is a bank and a post office while ATMs, telephones and post boxes are everywhere.
There is a children’s room to keep young passengers occupied while waiting for a flight.
Lost property is located on the ground floor (971 789 979). Disabled passengers will find the airport decked out with lifts and ramps. There are disabled parking spaces and it is possible to call ahead and book a wheelchair. 24 hour first aid services are available.
SHOPPING
Shopping is plentiful at Palma de Mallorca Airport and caters to all ages. There are toy shops, shoes from Camper and Lottusse, tobacconists, an accessories shop, leather goods, opticians, a pharmacy, travel agents, florists and a sweet shop. If you are flying from terminals/gates B and C then complete your shopping before heading through as there are no shops past security. There are plenty of restaurants at Palma de Mallorca Airport including a 24 hour café and a 24 hour bar.
DUTY FREE
You can buy a number of things duty free at Palma de Mallorca Airport as long as you are not travelling within the EU. For souvenirs and jewelry look for Majorca pearls and local glass blown objects in the gift shops. There are also Spanish delicacies available duty free. Aldesea is the main Spanish duty free shop. The shopping experience is much improved in the off season as the shops are incredibly packed during the shoulder peak.
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CAR HIRE
With all leading suppliers located at the airport you wiil be spoilt for choice with
Palma Airport car hire.