Two-hour shutdown at Son Sant Joan: Military show causes a stir

Two-hour shutdown at Son Sant Joan: military show causes a stir

Next Saturday travelers at Palma Airport should plan two things: more time and some patience. Between 11:30 and 13:00 civil flight operations will be temporarily suspended so the air force can show anniversary flights for the 75th birthday of the Son Sant Joan base, as reported in Dos horas de cierre en Son Sant Joan: exhibición militar provoca revuelo. Maneuvers with fighter jets are announced, including an F-18 — there will be roaring above the terminal, and the arrival terrace's coffee will briefly fall silent.

The big question: Who pays the price?

The main question is simple: Is it justifiable to shut down two hours of civil air traffic for a military show? Authorities point out the closure was integrated into the flight schedule and AENA is trying to minimize the impact. But in practice Friday's test flights already show delays accumulate, as noted in Espacio aéreo sobre Palma cerrado brevemente hoy – Espectáculo aéreo por el 75.º aniversario de Son Sant Joan: aircraft stayed longer on the tarmac, others had to hold in patterns. One passenger reported he sat on the plane for over two hours until the airspace was reopened. The engine noise was probably the lesser problem — it's the waiting that hits passengers and connections.

Planning vs. practice: What is often overlooked

Officially about 60 flights over the weekend are scheduled around the show; in normal November operations there are about 25 movements per hour. That means not only more takeoffs and landings, but more cumulative delay risks. What is rarely mentioned in public communication: the cascade effects. When one flight departs late, connecting flights are missed, ground crews must be rescheduled and rental car companies change shifts. The local bus line to the airport (EMT Palma connections) and the taxi ranks at the exit notice this with longer queues — at the taxi rank next to Terminal C there is much more talking than driving on such days.

Weather as joker — and as risk

The event strongly depends on the weather. There's an interface between the base, emergency number 112 and AEMET; in bad weather the show is cancelled. That is unfortunate for spectators, but for travelers it's also an uncertainty factor: last-minute schedule changes can lead to hectic replanning. Imagine: excited families, business travelers with tight connections, luggage that must be redistributed — while a rainstorm outside reduces visibility.

What passengers should really expect

Mostly delays are expected rather than mass cancellations. But experience shows military flight movements have priority, and that can take time. My tip to travelers: check flight status multiple times in the morning, subscribe to your airline's push notifications and allow generous buffer time for connections. A second coffee at the gate or a walk on the arrival terrace (if sunny) can reduce stress.

Lessons and solutions — short-sighted spectacle or clever planning?

The situation also offers a chance to improve. Three concrete proposals:

1. Review time window: A military show outside the busiest hours (e.g., late at night) would affect fewer travelers.

2. Better communication: Earlier, mandatory warnings to airlines and passengers as well as real-time info at arrivals and departures could save nerves.

3. Emergency protocols for connecting passengers: Reserved buffer seats, faster access to replacement connections and clear rules between AENA, airlines and the military would limit cascade effects.

You can celebrate an air force anniversary parade and at the same time respect that Son Sant Joan is a busy civil transport hub. A bit of foresight, more transparency and a plan B for rain would help everyone — pilots, ground crews and especially passengers with tight schedules.

For Saturday: ears up, eyes to the sky — but also: check status, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and travel with a plan B. Engines will roar at Son Sant Joan, but we should ensure our freedom to travel does not suffer.