Dep. Legal A PM 42-2025 - 140 - 2004 - ISSN - ISSN 3015-1309 2488-1686
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THE Balearic Islands are gearing up for a busy half-term, with travel data showing a sharp rise in bookings to Mallorca. According to figures released by travel analytics platform Travelgate, holiday reservations to the Balearics increased by 14.4 per cent over the past week compared with the same period last year - and by 18.3 per cent compared with the previous week. The surge places the Balearics as Spain’s sixth most popular destination, attracting 7.6 per cent of all national holiday bookings. The region trails only Andalucia (18.6 per cent), Catalonia (18.1 per cent), the Canary Islands (15.3 per cent), Madrid (13.9 per cent), and the Valencian Community (11.2 per cent). Travelgate’s data also highlights shifting traveller habits. More than 22 per cent of bookings were made over 90 days in advance, showing that early planning remains strong despite economic uncertainty. Couples are leading the charge, ac-
MALLORCA’S skies are set to come alive once again as the IBBF Balloon Festival, organised by Illes Balears Ballooning, floats back into Capdepera for its second edition. From October 22-26, 25 vibrant hot air balloons will ascend above the island, piloted by crews representing more than ten nationalities. This year’s festival promises an enchanting display of creativity and colour, with celestial-themed balloons, animal-inspired shapes, and a majestic vintage montgolfière among the highlights. Expect to see a rocket, a frog, two birds, a smiling child’s face, a piglet, and even a giant ice cream cone drifting gracefully across the horizon. A milestone moment for the event, one-third of the participating pilots are women - signalling a positive shift towards greater inclusivity within the sport. Flights will take place twice
Credit: neme_jimenez / Shutterstock
Booking bonanza
Holiday time continues in Mallorca.
counting for just over half (51.1 per cent) of all bookings to the Balearics. Nearly 49 per cent of travellers are booking stays of between two and five nights, reflecting the growing trend for short, spontaneous getaways. Domestic travellers continue to dominate, with Spanish tourists making up 53.5 per cent of all reservations in
the last week. British visitors represent 18 per cent, while Germans account for 3.5 per cent. Rising booking volumes signal continued confidence in the island as a goto destination for late-season sun and family holidays - reinforcing its reputation as one of Europe’s most beloved getaways.
Skyward spectacle returns
Credit: Marina Kryuchina / Shutterstock
The IBBF Balloon Festival returns. daily, with morning launches at 8am coinciding with sun-
rise and evening ascents at 6pm to capture the island’s
golden sunsets. Launch locations will be revealed two hours prior to each flight via IB Ballooning’s website and social media channels, adding a touch of anticipation for spectators. Pilots from across Europe and beyond including the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, and the United States - will join local teams from Mallorca and Catalonia. Among them is a French world champion, adding extra prestige to what is fast becoming one of Mallorca’s most uplifting autumn traditions.
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Jet set Scots SCOTLAND’S sunshine seekers and expatriates living in Mallorca will have a new reason to celebrate next summer as British Airways adds a fresh route to its short-haul network. From May 9, 2026, a new weekly service between Glasgow and Palma de Mallorca will take off, giving Scottish travellers a direct link to one of the Mediterranean’s most popular holiday destinations. The route will be operated by BA CityFlyer, British Airways’ London City-based subsidiary, and will run every Saturday throughout the summer 2026 schedule. Seats on the route are available from £111 each way, and the airline expects strong demand for the new link between Glasgow and Palma, two cities known for their culture, coastal appeal and loyal customer bases. The Palma service will form part of British Airways’ wider summer 2026 expansion, which includes a series of new leisure routes operated by BA CityFlyer from UK regional airports. For travellers, the launch means the promise of warmer skies and shorter journeys - a Saturday escape from Scotland’s spring drizzle to Mallorca’s early-season sunshine. Credit - Glasgow airport / Facebook
Mallorca • No. 2103 • 23 - 29 October 2025
New Glasgow-Palma flights.
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