Fewer Flights, More Seats at Palma Airport — December 2025 Overview

In December fewer takeoffs and landings are scheduled at Palma Airport — yet seat capacity grows. Why this is happening and what it means for travelers.

Fewer Movements, but Full Rows

Anyone who has been at Terminal B in Palma in recent days may have noticed: the runway seems quieter, but the gates are full. For the coming December around 9,000 takeoffs and landings have been authorized — about 3.5 percent fewer than last year.

Why the Numbers Diverge

The paradox: despite fewer flights, the number of available seats is rising. Airlines together report more than 1.4 million seats for December — an increase of about 1 percent and the highest figure in five years. The explanation is pragmatic and plain: larger aircraft.

Many carriers are deploying planes with more rows of seats to lower the cost per passenger. At the check-in counter you may not notice it immediately — except when an A320 arrives at 6 a.m. instead of a smaller aircraft and suddenly more passengers are waiting in line.

Who Is on Board Most Often?

Ryanair continues to top the list of the most active carriers at Palma Airport. Closely followed by Vueling, Air Nostrum, Air Europa and Eurowings. The most frequent routes remain familiar: Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, Menorca and Valencia are the most served cities.

What Does This Mean for Travelers and Residents?

For holidaymakers more seats often mean: more choice and occasionally cheaper tickets. For residents the effect can be ambivalent. Fewer takeoffs and landings do mean fewer movements — but larger aircraft change noise profiles and traffic flows around the airport, for example in the mornings on Calle de la Terminal, where taxis and buses come together more tightly.

The figures come from current authorizations and the airlines' plans. Whether the actual flights take place exactly as planned depends on weather, maintenance and demand. A practical tip for travelers remains: check tickets and seat reservations early, especially during the holiday season.

Conclusion: Fewer movements on the radar, but more people on board. A December with mixed signals — economically sensible, locally noticeable.