This noon a historic event has taken place: the return of the seaplane to Ibiza, with the concretion of the first test of the aircraft that plans to connect with Palma. This initiative, which promises to revolutionize inter-island mobility, was exclusively anticipated exclusively by La Voz de La Voz de Ibiza. And this Wednesday has begun to take shape with the first flight.
The landing of the twin-engine aircraft took place at 11.50 a.m., after departing from Palma and making a couple of approach passes. About 10 minutes later it was docking in the area of Marina IGY, where a gangway and a floating dock have been provisionally installed. Its arrival has generated some expectation on the island, whose flight was successfully completed without incident. However, it is not known at the moment in which part of the port this initiative would operate in case it is definitively approved, taking into account that this area is within the IGY concession.
At 13:00 another test flight was scheduled, but had to be suspended due toadverse weather conditions, easterly wind and one meter waves, which presented discomfort for the passengers, although it did not mean safety problems. Therefore, the take-off and landing conditions were not optimal in the area authorized by the APB. Anyway, the pilots will perform a test flight and then decide whether or not to continue with the demonstrations. Yesterday a similar test flight was performed in Palma at the Real Club Nautico, which flew over the coast towards Andratx, returning to the port after a 30 minutes flight.
View this post on Instagram
7 million investment
Isla Air Express, the Balearic company behind the project, has invested more than seven million euros in studies, acquisitions and authorizations necessary to make this innovative connection a reality. The company has been working for six years to obtain the necessary permits to establish seaplane flights between the islands and the mainland, seeking to offer new transport alternatives to facilitate the transfer of residents and tourists.The company has been working for six years on the necessary permits to establish seaplane flights between the islands and the mainland, seeking to offer new transportation alternatives to facilitate the transfer of residents and tourists.
In recent weeks the company has received preliminary approval from the Balearic Islands Port Authority. Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB).
“We want to demonstrate that the operation is viable and safe without interfering with port activities,” explained Antoni Jiménez, delegate of Isla Air Express in the Balearic Islands.
The project will not only improve mobility in the Balearic Islands, but also seeks to position the islands as a benchmark for modern transport in the Mediterranean. The service promises to shorten distances and enhance the tourist offer, consolidating Ibiza and Palma as pioneering destinations in mobility solutions.
Impact on mobility and tourism
The launch of this service responds to the growing need to improve connections between the islands, providing a more agile and efficient option to traditional maritime transport. In addition, the possibility of landing directly at the ports adds a differential attraction for tourism, reinforcing the mobility offer in both destinations. With these tests, Ibiza and Palma are closer to consolidating a unique air route in the Mediterranean. If the tests meet expectations, commercial flights could be operational soon, opening new doors to tourism and island connectivity.
