Survey of inter-island air passengers

Complaints that increased air travel discounts go unnoticed

Transport. Higher discounts cancelled out by higher fares

Airlines are failing to fulfil the conditions laid down in the declaration of public air service, such as in the number of 30 minute+ delays which are permitted

C.M.W..Maó

More than 93% of passengers on inter-island flights in the Balearics believe that the increases in residents´ air travel discounts granted by the Central Government over the last two years have passed unnoticed; of these 65.29% feel that the increases have been cancelled out by the rise in tariffs imposed by the airlines and the remaining 28.1% think that the increased discounts have been counter-productive (without specifying the reasons).

These are some of the conclusions which have been drawn from a survey conducted on behalf of the Ministry for Public Works, Housing and Transport and carried out on 1,542 passengers on inter-island flights (19% of whom were travelling for medical reasons).

The survey also revealed other results, such as that more than 70% of those consulted condemned the price rises imposed by the airlines. This year, in addition to the increase permitted under the original public air service agreement in line with the increase in the retail price index, permission was given for additional rises in respect of the increased fuel prices.

Overbookings

According to investigations carried out by members of the Ministry, and based on the study of 6,102 inter-island flights between April and August, airlines have failed to fulfil other conditions which are obligatory under the public air service agreement. These include overbookings - when the number of seats sold on a flight exceed the seating capacity of the aircraft - which averaged 8.87%, rising to 10.8% on the more popular flights departing after 2000 hrs.

It has been suggested that the study be continued through the winter months to see how the public air service operates during that period.

Occupancy

On the route between Palma and Maó, 27.5% of the flights have more than 75% of the seats occupied, this being the figure above which it is considered necessary to provide more flights as reinforcements. However, according to the Ministry, not only have no extra flights been provided but some of those scheduled have actually been cancelled.

Delays

The flights between Mallorca and Menorca are subject to less cancellations than on the route between Palma and Ibiza.

On the other hand, there are more delays of over 30 minutes on the Palma-Maó route (12.89% of the flights). According to the declaration of public air service, delays of this length should not occur on more than 10% of the flights.

Councillor Mabel Cabrer has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to call an urgent meeting of the commission following the development of the public air service to study changes in the declaration.