Madrid seeks an ammunition depot at Palma Airport – Protests and doubts on Mallorca

A bunker near the airport — and many questions

There is unrest in Son Sant Joan. Drafts from Madrid envision a semi-subterranean ammunition bunker that could store rockets, bombs and explosives. The planned facility is said to be several meters deep and protected by thick reinforced concrete walls and a layer of earth. Estimated cost: around 1.8 million euros. Theoretical capacity: up to 75 tonnes, but in practice apparently only a fraction will be kept on site.

Anyone who flies in and out here daily feels the proximity of the military area: taxi drivers from Avinguda Joan Miró are already talking about it, the nearby cafés, and residents in Es Pil·larí exchange information in WhatsApp groups. Some are simply surprised, others alarmed. I spoke yesterday with a woman who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years: "We never asked whether this belongs here," she said. On Sundays you often see technical vehicles in the nearby parking lot — but ammunition? That causes unease.

Political reactions: Across the spectrum

The criticism came quickly. The left-nationalist party vehemently opposes the project and demands that the island be given more say. Party spokespeople stressed that they do not serve as storage for war materiel. The conservative People’s Party also criticizes mainly the lack of communication: representatives spoke of insufficient coordination between the central government and the Balearic Islands. The right defends the plan as strategically necessary — keyword: NATO and regional security interests. Other parties like Podemos see unnecessary militarization of the airport, while the socialist regional party has been more restrained so far.

What exactly is planned?

The dimensions known so far appear technical and sober: several dozen meters in length, thick walls, and a layer of earth to dampen shock waves. In the plans there are figures like "20 to 32 steerable bombs"; Madrid argues that the actual storage will be significantly more limited because of proximity to the civilian terminal. Critics find this not very reassuring: A storage facility, however used, increases risk and changes the sense of security in the neighborhood.

What must happen now

Practically: many are demanding transparency now — public hearings, access to safety calculations, independent assessments. It’s not just about technology but trust. The coming weeks will show whether Madrid seeks dialogue or pushes the project through. On site, the mood remains tense: between flight noise and palm trees, the worry grows that decisions are being made behind the backs of those who live and work here.

Editorial: We will stay on it and report as soon as new details, approvals or discussions become known.