Leaving from Palma Terminal A November 2025

[Lorenzo]

Well, we had an interesting transit through Terminal A yesterday for our return flight to Gatwick. We got all of the way to the passport control area, only to be advised that there were no facilities open in the departure lounge area in Terminal A. If we wished to have something to eat or drink, then we should go back up in the lift to the main shopping and food outlet area. We had plenty of time to do this, and ended up having a bite to eat in the McDonalds (please don't judge us!!) . We then returned to the passport area.....none of the machines were in use and the area was deserted, apart from the lines of tensa-barriers. We were directed to a desk where there was a member of border force . He kindly scanned and stamped our passports and we were on our way! It turned out that Burger King was actually open in Terminal A plus one small gift shop but nohting else. So if you plan to buy and 'duty free', it might be worth getting getting it in the new large shop at the top of the escalators just after security. Only a small part of the new shop was open when we went through yesterday.

 

[bobley]

I'm surprised they're still using terminal A at this time of year.

 

[Lorenzo]

I'm surprised they're still using terminal A at this time of year.

Yes, we were surprised too.

 

[bobley]

I'm guessing they're going to drip feed as many folks through the EES machines as they can over winter.

 

[Twocats]

We also flew back to LGW yesterday and Terminal A was quiet, but there were very few flights. There were quite a few Mitie branded 'guides' to direct passengers through the new passport control machines. One arriving passenger was concerned that she was being directed towards these machines even though she had a long stay visa. I guess her concern was that once registered she would be bound by 90/180 day rule even though she could stay longer, however the guides appeared not to understand her concern. The guides also said that passport stamping would continue, which doesn't make sense to me. It maybe the process is being introduced gradually but i think there will be issues during peak travel days, and if you have a long stay visa then i hope you don't let down by the system.

 

[bobley]

We also flew back to LGW yesterday and Terminal A was quiet, but there were very few flights. There were quite a few Mitie branded 'guides' to direct passengers through the new passport control machines. One arriving passenger was concerned that she was being directed towards these machines even though she had a long stay visa. I guess her concern was that once registered she would be bound by 90/180 day rule even though she could stay longer, however the guides appeared not to understand her concern. The guides also said that passport stamping would continue, which doesn't make sense to me. It maybe the process is being introduced gradually but i think there will be issues during peak travel days, and if you have a long stay visa then i hope you don't let down by the system.

EES doesn't replace stamping. EES is the data gathering the precedes ETIAS which will electronically log you in / out and replace the stamps.

 

[Daniel Hatchford]

My son flew in yesterday on a U.K. passport. Straight through.

 

[Rockape]

I'm sure Terminal A being open is all part and parcel of the ongoing extension of the Airport. Being a frequent arriver at PMI over the past couple of years, its been interesting to see which route you have to take to get out. At one point it felt like about a mile walk, but more recently its been really quick. Hopefully that is the new normal.

 

[bobley]

As winter tourism increases they will have more demand for none Schengen travel and hence all the EES machines set up in terminal A. I dont think there's anywhere sensible to put them in terminal C as the always put the none Schengen flights down that spur to gates 50-60.

The EES machines are working quite well though. They dont ask any complicated questions. They just scan the passport, then take a photo and finally your fingerprints. It takes quite a lot of pressure to create the fingerprint which you can see on a screen. Once I'd scanned I went to the E gates which took a little longer than they used to to let me thru. The Mrs couldn't get her fingerprints to work at the EES and had to go to the normal booth where they scanned them manually.

So top tip, press all 4 fingers on your right hand firmly. Maybe use your left hand to squash on top.

 

[Disorderly]

Strangely when we went through last week we were directed to use the EES machines but it only scanned the passport, with no option for photo or prints, I queried it but was told this was OK and ushered to the E Gates. I’ve no idea why, other than perhaps the machines were being tested prior to introducing the photo/print routine. Disappointing as it was quiet, and it would have been a great opportunity to get this done.