Furious workers say the service at the busy Palma airport is on the brink of collapse and have called for urgent action. They say equipment such as wheelchairs and transport vehicles are worn, dirty and in many cases, obsolete as they fail to meet safety standards.
And they claim that with the summer approaching, the situation can only get worse and will do nothing for Mallorca’s tourist reputation. On many occasions, passengers needing mobility assistance are stuck on places after arrival for more than half an hour while others have to walk a long distance to avoid missing flights. Due to these problems, the airport staff say they have been subject to verbal abuse, insults and even attacks.
“Workers face situations they are not prepared for, such as assisting dozens of passengers simultaneously or dealing with complaints from frustrated users,” said a spokesperson, “We receive insults and reproaches for a service that isn’t our fault.”
Palma airport is one of the busiest in Spain, with hundreds of flights arriving every day, including thousands of Brits.
Staff say that there are usually on two workers on duty at a time, having to deal with a mountain of requests for mobility help, including from the elderly and those who need wheelchairs. As a result, the majority needing help are being left unattended for long periods.
They say the situation is “unsustainable” and the Works Council has lodged a succession of complaints, including with the Labour Inspectorate and the Balearic Institute of Occupational Health and Safety. They point the finger of blame on the airport authority AENA and the contracting company, Adelte.
The workers are demanding urgent action, including more staff, updated equipment and clear shift planning. “The mobility service is a fundamental right, not a courtesy,” said the spokesperson. “Aena and Adelte must assume their responsibility for the suffering of passengers and the exploitation of workers.”
