With the de Havilland DHC-6 “Twin Otter”, the Mallorca-based company Isla Air Express wants to better connect the Balearic Islands. In a second expansion phase, the seaplanes will also be taken to Alicante and Valencia. However, there is considerable resistance from local authorities. 

The first test flights between Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza Town should have been carried out on November 9th and 10th, 2023. These had to be canceled and postponed indefinitely because the responsible port authority did not issue the necessary permits. According to a report in the newspaper “Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera”, one of the reasons is that significantly important licenses are missing. A spokesman for the authorities did not want to provide any information as to whether and when the green light would be given. 

The politically responsible people don't seem to be particularly enthusiastic about the planned seaplane flights. Five years ago, Isla Air Express applied for the relevant permits to be granted. To date, this has not been received, but neither the authorities nor the company have provided precise information about the reasons. In any case, Isla Air Express explains that it has invested around eight million euros so far. 

The initiators initially intend to fly from Mallorca to Ibzia, Menorca and Formentera. The routes will be served between four and seven times per day with 18-seater Twin Otters. In the second phase, it will also go from Ibiza and Formentera to Alicante and Valencia. 

Contrary to its own representation, Isla Air Express is not a real airline. You have no AOC and no operating license. The plan is for operational flight operations to be provided by Mediterranean Coastal Airlines, a Malta-based airline.