Palma Airport: Module D Closed – Between Modernization and Morning Chaos

Module D closed – what Palma's airport really has to balance now

From the beginning of November, an entire section of Palma Airport will be taken out of operation: Module D will remain closed until April. On paper it sounds like a sensible winter construction project – new climate control systems, modern ceilings, LED lighting. In practice, however, it means: more people in less space, longer walking distances, tighter security checks and a lot of small adjustments that together can quickly lead to major congestion.

The central question

How well is Palma's airport prepared for this bottleneck, and who will pay the price? It's not about pretty press photos of lifts, but about details that rarely appear in official statements: accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, coordination of ground handling, shift schedules for security staff and the capacity of the baggage belts. If these points are not properly managed, a winter of renovations can turn into a logistical winter nightmare.

What is happening specifically

Outdated systems in Module D will be replaced: air conditioning, suspended ceilings, lighting. Flights that are normally handled there will mostly move to Module C, while Module A will remain open – unusually – and act as a small wildcard. But this relocation also means: longer walks from check-in to the gate, more intersections at security checkpoints and more crowded waiting areas. During peak times, instead of the sound of the sea you'll hear hammering and the clatter of trolleys over temporary floors.

The overlooked consequences

The bottleneck does not affect all travelers equally. Families with young children, people with reduced mobility, passengers with tight connections and ground staff are particularly affected. A delayed baggage belt or a technical problem where there is normally freedom of movement can immediately trigger chain reactions. And because the forecourt in front of the terminal often already feels like a market in the morning – taxis, coaches, tourists with coffee in hand – every backup here has a double impact.

What the operators say – and what they should really do

The official message is sound: in the long term the technology will be more efficient, the environmental balance will improve and the likelihood of disruptions will decrease. In the short term, however, concrete relief plans are often missing. The magic word is not just communication, but active relief: temporary waiting zones, clear diversions, extra staffing reserves and close coordination with airlines and ground handling agents.

Pragmatic proposals instead of political rhetoric

The situation can be mitigated if determined measures follow now:

1. Manage time windows: Airlines and the airport could stagger departures and check-in times in a coordinated way to smooth peak periods. A bit of timing can prevent a lot of crowding.

2. Increase staff: Visible security teams, additional baggage handlers and temporary guides to show the way are not expensive compared with the consequences of delays and upset customers.

3. Mobile infrastructure: Temporary ramps, clearly marked wheelchair routes and assistance points must be prioritized now. Accessibility is not a luxury – it is an obligation, especially during a transition phase.

4. Digital and analog signals: Real-time displays, push notifications in travel apps and clearly visible, weatherproof signs reduce uncertainty. When travelers know where to go, much of the stress disappears.

5. Cooperation on the forecourt: Taxi and bus traffic should be regulated in close coordination so that morning commuter and tourist density does not build up. Short pick-up zones and temporary stops could help.

How travelers can prepare

Small preparations reduce frustration: check in online, drop off luggage as early as possible, and allow generous time buffers. Regular airport users know the sounds: drills, announcements and the rattle of suitcase wheels. Staying calm helps – and leaving ten to fifteen minutes earlier certainly does, too.

The neighborhood feels it too

The cafés on Passeig Mallorca and the bars around Plaza d'Espanya are already seeing increased demand: travelers seeking quiet before departure, taxi drivers reporting longer idle times, bus drivers reporting crowded stops. Residents hear more construction noise than usual – not just once when the Tramuntana blows, but daily as the work picks up pace.

Conclusion: modernize, but with moderation

Renovating Module D makes sense in the long run. In the short term, however, it presents Palma with an organizational challenge. If the airport operators, airlines and local authorities work together pragmatically and concretely now, the hardships can be cushioned. If it remains all flowery press releases without visible relief measures, travelers, staff and the neighborhood will pay the price in lost time, stress and bad mood.

My advice: pack some patience, plan extra time and check whether your flight can be checked in earlier. Mallorca remains charming – even if the airport gets a bit louder for a few months.