A black-and-white Condor lands in Palma — the island takes a closer look

A black-and-white Condor lands in Palma — the island takes a closer look

If early in the morning the sun climbs over Son Sant Joan and the cafés’ air conditioners at Terminal C lay a low hum across the apron, a new aircraft is immediately noticeable: a Condor A320, this time not in the familiar yellow-orange but in a strict black and white. Large letters SGE are displayed on the fuselage — a wink toward Eintracht Frankfurt, which has now become visible in the skies too.

An eye-catcher between boarding announcements and apron noises

On the apron everything otherwise runs to plan: baggage carts rattle by, the phone at check-in beeps, and somewhere a seagull screams over the runway. But suddenly heads stop. Travelers pull out their phones, a child points excitedly at the black flank, an elderly gentleman smiles and murmurs, “You don’t see that here every day.” The livery is not just advertising — it’s a small spectacle in the everyday life of the airport.

From year of manufacture to club aircraft

The jet, built in 2010, has already seen several changes and has been flying for Condor since 2020. Recently a stopover in Norwich led to a new appearance; back in Frankfurt the machine looks like a rolling club emblem. The tail is currently still missing the emblem — a white placeholder is stuck there, a sign that this may not be the last alteration.

What does this mean for Mallorca?

Our island is already a hub for team charters, fan trips and seasonal flights. Son Sant Joan sees almost daily coach convoys, training groups and colorful fan jerseys. A Condor painted in club colours is therefore more than a photo opportunity: it’s an attraction for fans, a calling card for city–league relations and a topic in bars and on the beach. I imagine a crowd of supporters after a match in Palma photographing the aircraft in front of the control tower — typical Mallorca: sea, palms and suddenly a stadium atmosphere.

Between identity and everyday life

Special liveries are not uncommon, but they always raise small questions. Purists ask whether an airline operator becomes too much like a fan club by adopting club colours; others see it as a charming break in the often sober airport scene. On Mallorca, where tourism, tradition and football often meet, the reaction is usually friendly curiosity. A little colour, even if this time it is black and white, changes the rhythm of the morning.

Practical information for travelers and fans

If you’re waiting at Terminal C in the coming weeks: keep your eyes open. The SGE design is likely to appear occasionally as a special livery during the season, especially at peak times and on team flights. For photographers this means fresh motifs against a familiar island backdrop; for Condor it’s a door opener to new partnerships and perhaps an expanded offer of fan-oriented services.

A brief look ahead

Whether the aircraft will become a regular visitor to Mallorca or remain a guest appearance with the club flag is open. One thing is certain: such surprises give people something to talk about in the cafés at the airport, along Palma’s promenade and in fans’ WhatsApp groups. For everyday island life it’s a pleasant break — a reminder that Mallorca is not just about beaches, but also a place where people bring and display their passions.

And next time you stand by the apron, listen closely: between the whisper of the air conditioners and the shriek of the seagulls there might be a distant low chorus grumbling. Or it may just be the wind. In either case: keep your eyes open, take a photo — and take a little holiday love for the club home with you.