Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan
| Continent: Europe | Country: Spain |
| Palma de Mallorca Son Sont Joan | |
| Location | Palma de Mallrca, Balearic Islands, Spain |
| IATA code | PMI |
| ICAO code | LEPA |
| Airport type | Commercial (minor military presence) |
| Website | http://www.aena.es |
| Overview map | [ ] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | |
Official Spotting Locations
none
Other Spotting Locations
Terminal building
There are no views from inside the terminal building landside.
Once airside, there are windows in each of the four gate areas, but with limited views onto small parts of the apron. Some locations give views onto one of the runways, too, but none is good for photography as windows are tinted.
Parking garage
For the spotter in a hurry, the top level of the car park opposite the terminal building can serve as a vantage point, but views are restricted to the southwestern ends of the runways and some longterm remote stands.
Around the airport
There are a number of locations around the airport's perimeter, but to get there a car or a bike are recommended.
- The end of Camino de Son Fangos at "39.548065, 2.707282" (coordinates for google maps) can be reached on foot from the nearby Carrefour supermarket, but views from there aren't too good. Do not get fooled by Google maps: The camino is interrupted by the airport perimeter in direction north and you cannot head directly to location #2 (even on foot) !
- West of runway 24R on Carrer Lluchmajor "39.554784,2.719846". Do not go there on foot, as when coming from the west, you will have to bypass Palma's "slum" at Son Banya (a place not recommended to be after nightfall).
- Much better is a location further north that can be reached from the village of Son Ferriol "39.560280, 2.730200". This is a dead end with not more than 2 cars to park; keep the entrance to the farm clear ! Stay off the private properties including the fields itself. This location offers good views of runway 24R and western / northern apron. Traffic on runway 24L can be monitored, too, but not much more.
- Northeast of the airport: With runway 24L used for arrivals you can also park at location "39.559321, 2.769432" and have landing aircraft buzz right overhead you. The sun should be no problem for head-on shots.
- With runway 06R used for departures, try to head for the park at Poligono Son Oms (walking distance from the Playa de Palma): "39.539926,2.735167".
Locations to Avoid
After nightfall, stay away from the area of "Son Banya" to the west of the airfield (see Spotting location 2 above) or drive through quickly.
Regular Traffic
During busy summer season almost every carrier in Europe flies to PMI.
Winter is considerably less busy with pax numbers falling to a 10th of summer peak numbers.
The single biggest carrier in PMI is Air Berlin for whom PMI is a hub airport.
More details of airlines serving PMI can be found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_Sant_Joan_Airport and the appropriate other languages.
Facilities and Transportation
Rental cars, taxi.
Local bus EMT #1 runs into city center Palma (and onwards along the port area) at 15 minute intervals. Current (Aug-2008) fare is €1.85 oneway. http://www.emtpalma.es