Palma Airport Braces for a Wintry Weekend: What Travellers Need to Know

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Winter has arrived early in Mallorca, and with a burst of Arctic air sweeping across Spain, Aena has activated its Winter Plan at Palma de Mallorca Airport. We explain what’s happening behind the scenes and what the weather has in store.

Aena’s Winter Plan: How Palma Airport Prepares for Ice and Snow

Although Mallorca rarely sees severe winter conditions, Palma Airport follows the same robust winter operations plan as 20 other airports across Spain. The aim is simple: keep flights running safely when temperatures tumble.

What the Winter Plan Involves

To deal with frost, snow and ice, Aena has a network-wide fleet of more than 200 specialist vehicles. These include:

• Snowploughs and sweepers
• Friction-testing vehicles
• De-icer spreaders (both solid and liquid)
• 4x4s and support vehicles equipped with blades

Across the country, Aena has stocked up with almost 500 tonnes of solid de-icer and around 420,000 litres of liquid de-icer. Palma Airport has access to a share of these resources and uses them as soon as conditions begin to deteriorate.

The work starts long before snow actually arrives. Airport teams monitor the weather constantly, check runway and taxiway surfaces, and measure runway friction levels to ensure they stay within safe limits.

How Palma Airport Monitors Runway Safety in Winter

Specialised vehicles, sometimes called friction testers or continuous friction measuring equipment, drive along the runway taking readings. They measure the runway friction coefficient, which is a numerical value that reflects how much grip an aircraft’s tyres can expect on landing or take-off. A higher number means more grip; a lower number indicates a more slippery surface. The friction testing vehicles simulate aircraft braking to determine how well tyres would perform.
These measurements help airport teams decide:

• Whether the runway needs more de-icer
• If sweeping or ploughing is required
• When it is safe to reopen a runway after snow or ice treatment

This process plays a vital role in keeping Palma Airport running safely even in unusual Mallorcan cold snaps.

Friday’s Weather: A Cold, Wintry Day for Mallorca

If you’re travelling on Friday, prepare for classic winter conditions rarely seen on the island:

• Heavy or very heavy rain likely
• Snow possible from just 600 metres, meaning the Serra de Tramuntana could turn white
• Daytime temperatures stuck between 11°C and 13°C
• A sharp chill in the air, especially in the evening

The coldest period is expected from Friday night into early Saturday, with some inland areas dipping close to 3°C.

Allow a little extra time for travel to the airport, especially if you’re heading from higher-altitude towns.

Good News for Saturday: Milder Air Moves In

The icy spell won’t last long. By Saturday midday, a milder Atlantic front should begin to push temperatures up again. Expect:

• A noticeable rise in daytime temperatures
• Snow levels climbing back to around 900 metres
• More typical late-November conditions returning

While the island will still feel cool, the worst of the wintry weather should be behind us by the weekend.

Flying via Palma Airport? Here’s Our Quick Advice

• Check your flight status before leaving home, as wet and cold weather can sometimes trigger small delays.
• Arrive early, particularly on Friday, when rain and storms may slow travel.
• Pack warm layers, especially if you’re arriving late at night or staying in inland areas.
• Keep an eye on airline updates, as de-icing procedures can be required even in Mediterranean climates during cold snaps.

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