Aena to Upgrade Balearic Airports for EU Non-Schengen Controls
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Aena will upgrade Balearic airports with dedicated non-Schengen zones to manage new EU Entry/Exit System border controls for UK and other travellers.
Key Takeaways
- •Targets over €1 billion investment across Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca airports by 2031.
- •Creates dedicated non-Schengen border zones to manage new EU Entry/Exit System rules.
- •Increases passenger processing space by 29% to accommodate biometric checks for non-EU travelers.
- •Proposes a passenger fee increase, sparking opposition from airlines like Ryanair.
Spanish airport operator Aena (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea) has detailed a significant investment plan to create dedicated non-Schengen border control zones at its Balearic Islands airports. The upgrades at Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca are designed to manage increased passenger processing times anticipated with the launch of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The initiative aims to streamline the passenger journey for travelers from the United Kingdom and other non-EU countries, who will be subject to new biometric registration requirements. By creating a single access point to non-Schengen boarding areas, Aena intends to mitigate potential bottlenecks and reduce queue times. The changes are part of the operator's proposed Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria (DORA) III, a five-year regulatory and investment framework covering 2027 to 2031.
Investment Breakdown by Airport
The DORA III proposal allocates over €1 billion in total to the three main Balearic airports, representing a substantial increase over the previous regulatory period. Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), also known as Son Sant Joan, is slated to receive the largest share, with €621.6 million earmarked for investment. According to Aena's proposal, this figure represents a 46.7% increase from the prior five-year plan.
Investment at Palma will focus on runway and taxiway resurfacing, apron upgrades, and renovations to boarding bridges. The plan also includes improvements to car parks, featuring the installation of new photovoltaic panels on parking roofs as part of a broader sustainability effort.
Ibiza Airport is set for a €229.7 million allocation, a more than 202% increase, while Menorca Airport will see its investment rise by 336% to €170.7 million. A significant portion of the funding for Ibiza and Menorca will be directed toward adapting security and border control areas. These spaces will be expanded by approximately 29% to accommodate next-generation scanning equipment and the infrastructure required for the new EES.
Adapting to New EU Border Rules
The primary driver for the infrastructure overhaul is the impending implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit System. The EES is an automated IT system that will register non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area. It replaces manual passport stamping with an electronic record and requires the collection of biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, upon first entry.
This new process requires more physical space for automated kiosks and gates, as well as upgraded technology to handle the data collection and verification. The creation of dedicated non-Schengen zones is a strategic response to manage the distinct processing requirements for these passengers, particularly the large volume of UK tourists visiting the Balearic Islands.
Funding and Airline Opposition
To help finance the extensive upgrades across its network, which total approximately €12.888 billion under the DORA III proposal, Aena has proposed an increase in passenger fees. At Palma Airport, the operator suggests an average annual fee increase of 35 cents per passenger. This could potentially be reduced to 25 cents if certain airline incentives are met.
While the proposed increase appears modest, it has drawn criticism from low-cost carriers. Ryanair, a major operator in Spain, has been particularly vocal in its opposition. The airline's CEO, Eddie Wilson, described the proposal as "regrettable, but not surprising," accusing Aena of prioritizing high fares over traffic development. In response, Aena's President and CEO, Mauricio Lucena, challenged the airline's arguments, suggesting they showed "a lack of originality."
This dispute reflects a persistent industry tension between airport operators, who argue that fee increases are essential for critical infrastructure investment, and airlines, which contend that such hikes increase operating costs and ultimately lead to higher ticket prices for consumers.
Why This Matters
This investment program at the Balearic airports highlights the tangible operational and financial consequences of evolving European border security policies. For airports, the rollout of the EES necessitates significant capital expenditure to prevent operational paralysis and maintain service quality. For airlines and passengers, especially from the post-Brexit UK, it signals a new era of more complex and technologically driven border crossings. The conflict over funding these upgrades underscores the continuous debate within the aviation industry about how to balance infrastructure development with cost control in a competitive market.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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