Salzburg builds up: more flights, new terminal — a boost for Mallorca in winter

Salzburg builds up: more flights, new terminal — a boost for Mallorca in winter

Eurowings almost daily from mid-February, major terminal plans through 2033

In the early morning, when street sweepers on Palma's Passeig Mallorca start their machines and the seagulls over the harbour get loud, it is still quiet enough to think about connections to Austria. For the island the news from Salzburg can sound like this: more options in winter, better connections for regular guests and families planning a short extended weekend.

Salzburg Airport has announced additional investments of around €8 million for 2025. Part of this, €2.5 million, is being used to prepare for a comprehensive terminal refurbishment, with construction due to start in early 2027. Overall, the airport company plans to invest roughly €105 million in the large project by 2033. The core of the project is to structurally and functionally merge the main terminal from the 1960s and the newer Amadeus Terminal 2.

Technical innovations and new legal requirements are driving the project. In particular, the European Entry-Exit System (EES) changes the procedures for passenger controls; therefore adjustments to building technology, security zones and passenger flows are necessary. Such requirements also affect travellers who fly from Salzburg to Mallorca in winter: shorter waiting times and clearer routes within the terminal can make the journey more pleasant.

For 2025 Salzburg reported over 54,000 movements in the passenger area; freight volume was around 9,307 tonnes, slightly below the previous year. The airport company views these figures as a solid basis to maintain routes and consider new offers. Germany remains the strongest market, followed by the UK and the Scandinavian countries — markets that regularly send guests to Mallorca as well, and nearby regional hubs report growth such as Weeze plans significantly more winter flights.

Specifically for Mallorca it is noteworthy: Eurowings increases frequency between Berlin-Brandenburg and Mallorca, and from mid-February there will be almost daily Eurowings connections from Salzburg to the island. That means more direct options for travellers from the Alpine region, especially in the low season. Travelers from Salzburg cannot currently rely on low-cost carriers like Ryanair: that provider does not offer Mallorca routes from there. Some low-cost routes are growing elsewhere, however, as Weeze Airport reports strong winter growth shows. This makes Eurowings particularly important for the connection.

What does this mean locally? Hotels on Playa de Palma and small holiday rental operators in the west of the island gain additional booking opportunities in months that are usually quiet. For employees in transfer services or car rentals, fixed connections provide a more reliable planning basis. On the streets of Palma you increasingly hear northern languages; more flights bring new voices to the promenade, and in the longer term guests who stay outside the high season.

Looking ahead: such investments also provide impetus to think about sustainable feeder services. If Salzburg makes terminal routes shorter and processes more efficient, it encourages regional airports to improve their public transport links or shuttle concepts. For Mallorca it would be desirable that larger airports in the network not only offer more flights but also make the journey from airport to accommodation simpler and more climate-friendly.

The numbers and plans from Salzburg are not a cause for concern for us, but rather a practical hint: the island will be served more often in winter again, which benefits many Mallorcans and service providers. Anyone looking for a last-minute long weekend can soon travel directly from Salzburg more often. And for the island's economy this means: more guests staying outside the holiday high season — a small, welcome push in the right direction.

In Palma, while rain clouds quietly drift over Castell de Bellver, taxi drivers and receptionists like to talk about new flights. These are stories of return visitors, couples escaping everyday life, and families who appreciate the island's mild winter climate. Salzburg's plans fit into this picture: pragmatic, tangible and with concrete benefits for both sides.

Outlook: Travellers should keep an eye on the flight schedules from mid-February. For hosts and service providers it means planning upcoming seasons more flexibly — less hype, more everyday tourism. And for the travel industry the lesson is simple: well-connected, reliable routes are the foundation for keeping Mallorca accessible year-round.