Majorca Residents Protest Airport Noise, Demand Night Flight Ban

On a Saturday morning in September, frustrated residents and local associations gathered at Es Carnatge beach, near Majorca's Palma Airport, to monitor flight activity and the associated noise levels. This demonstration was a response to the residents' demands for reduced air traffic and a ban on flights between 11 PM and 6 AM.

The residents expressed concerns that the noise was detrimental to their health, estimating that approximately 19,000 people were affected. They asserted their right to peaceful rest. Monitoring efforts revealed takeoffs or landings occurring every two minutes at Palma Airport, with noise levels reaching up to 97 decibels. This level is comparable to the sound of an industrial fire alarm or a busy nightclub. Prolonged exposure to noise at or above 80-85 decibels can lead to hearing loss. The areas of Coll d'en Rebassa, Can Pastilla, Sant Jordi, and Sa Casa Blanca were identified as the locations most impacted by aircraft noise.

Pere Joan Femenia, a spokesperson for the Platform Against Airport Expansion, advocated for a night flight ban, similar to those in place in other European cities. He cited examples such as Budapest and Cologne, which have restrictions in place, and London City Airport, which prohibits flights during specific nighttime hours. Femenia highlighted that noise levels in bedrooms often exceed 70 decibels. The group has urged the Balearic Government to enact legislation for flight time restrictions, noting the absence of studies on the health effects of aircraft noise in the Balearic Islands. The World Health Organization recommends noise limits, while EU legislation sets an average limit. The EU aims to reduce the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 2030.

A study conducted in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2013, indicated that aircraft noise contributed to a significant number of hospital admissions and deaths annually. The demonstration coincided with the International Day for the Ban on Night Flights at Airports, supported by the Stay Grounded Network. The call for a night ban in Palma has received backing from environmental groups, various Palma residents' associations, and the organization Menys Turisme Més Vida. This news also emerged amidst reports that anti-tourism protests in Spain, including Majorca, were beginning to have an impact. The hospitality sector has expressed concerns, with some businesses experiencing lower-than-expected activity during the peak season, leading to temporary closures in some cases.