Monday, November 11, 2024 The Spanish travel industry saw a landmark development with the official launch of Isla Air Express, Spain’s first airline focused exclusively on seaplane travel within the Balearic Islands. Based in Palma de Mallorca, Isla Air Express aims to revolutionize regional connectivity by providing frequent seaplane routes between the popular holiday destinations of Palma, Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca. This innovation is set to offer tourists and locals an alternative mode of transportation, focusing on speed, convenience, and an extraordinary airborne experience.
With initial test flights already underway, the travel industry is observing this new development keenly, expecting a significant boost in the accessibility of the Balearics, one of Spain’s most important tourism regions. The airline’s first route, from Palma Harbour to Ibiza Town, has been strategically chosen for its popularity among tourists. This initial offering was rigorously prepared through multiple test flights conducted from Palma, with a key flight on November 6 marking a successful 35-minute journey to Ibiza.
These tests are not merely procedural; they reflect years of meticulous planning—six years, in fact—aimed at addressing the logistical and regulatory challenges of operating seaplanes in the Balearics. Isla Air Express has been working closely with both the Balearic Islands Port Authority and the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) to secure the necessary operating p.