The Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza have issued a stark warning that they "can't take any more" tourists, with officials calling for a halt to additional flights during the high season.
The popular holiday destinations are demanding that no more flight increases be permitted, with the Balearic government urging immediate action to limit the number of summer arrivals.
Local authorities want the Spanish government to tell airport authority AENA that "enough is enough".
The Balearic government is specifically asking that no additional flight slots be implemented at the islands' airports during peak tourist season.
Majorca has joined calls to limit flight slots
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Minister of Economy, Finance and Innovation, Antoni Costa, explained that while the government isn't advocating for de-growth, they do support tourist containment.
"Perhaps we have to consider that in high season the number of slots at the airports of the Balearic Islands are already more than enough," Costa stated at a Spanish press conference.
"In the same way that the Government limits the supply of accommodation, perhaps it must be said, and I say this, that the increase in the number of slots in summer, in high season, at the airports of the Balearic Islands is over."
"We have reached the maximum limit," Costa stressed.
When asked about specific figures, Costa did not provide a number but indicated that the "maximum" refers to volumes reached last year.
"It is not desirable to increase that number in high season," he added.
Costa acknowledged that co-management of the Balearic Islands' airports between the State and the Autonomous Community remains an unresolved issue.
This was raised by regional president Marga Prohens in her last meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
"We will keep trying, because we have not achieved the objective," Costa lamented.
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Authorities in Spain have warned they'd 'reached their limit'
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Just last week, Costa conceded that the islands have "reached their limit" and promised firm action would be taken.
"Is there saturation in the Balearic Islands? Yes, there is saturation in the Balearic Islands. Have we reached the limit? Yes, we have reached the limit," Costa stated.
He emphasised that the government is working to address what has become "a real problem for the resident population".
The tourism decree introduced by the government specifically targets this issue through "containment, limits".
Costa was unequivocal about future development: "It's over, there are no more places."
