What's passport control like at Palma now?

[TCUK]

Hi,

Just wondering...

The new machines that have been installed at Palma Airport - are these the same that can be found in UK airports and only adults/over 16's can use?

Thanks

 

[bobley]

No, it's a 2 step process with the Spanish machines. First you do the passport/facial bit but you also need to put your finger on a scanner. Then you walk onwards to an exit gate where you need to put the same finger back on a second scanner to be let thru.

I think the minimum age is 12. I know my kids (15 / 18 now) have been using both for a while.

 

[martinchip10]

I didn't put my finger on any scanner unless you are talking about coming into Palma?

 

[Hanser]

Zero queues into Palma at 19:00 today. However, the new exit in Terminal A puzzled me and does mean a bit of an extra walk. Nothing too serious though. I get the feeling that passport control at Palma will only get better.

 

[Carol]

Departed Palma yesterday - 17.30 - no queues, passport not looked at - new machines still roped off. Noticed new signs in Terminal A - 4 weeks since we arrived and yes arrivals for passport control are in the opposite direction - watched new arrivals(like we would of) striding off to ‘old passport arrivals’ to see them some moments later going in the opposite direction! Looks like you have to go down some stairs - we will find out on our next visit in August.

 

[prattyIG8]

We left yesterdays and the new machines were in operation with numerous staff on hand to help you operate them. Unfortunately, with young children with us, we didn't get to use them (my in laws did though and had no problems) instead we were directed to family booths which were dead so we sailed straight through.

 

[Pocket_Buddy]

We left yesterdays and the new machines were in operation with numerous staff on hand to help you operate them. Unfortunately, with young children with us, we didn't get to use them (my in laws did though and had no problems) instead we were directed to family booths which were dead so we sailed straight through.

I was all set to give the new machines a go when leaving on friday. Then the assistant realised that the giant with us was actually my 16 year old nephew and sent us to the family booths.

Looks like a massive improvement though!

 

[Carol]

Has anyone come into Palma through the new arrivals - passport control - are the queues improved?

 

[animagic21]

Arrived at 7.30 am, Palma Airport. Dropped off case five minutes later. Through security & passport control in 10 minutes. We weren't directed to new machines. Boarded our Ryanair plane early & took off/ arrived on time at Bournemouth.
By far the quickest journey sequence we've had in years.

 

[bobley]

Has anyone come into Palma through the new arrivals - passport control - are the queues improved?

Coming into Palma they have been using the new machines for a while.

Returning to the UK you still need to see the man in the booth... so far

 

[prattyIG8]

We used the machines leaving Palma to return to the UK on Sunday eve. Maybe they are only open at certain times.

 

[bobley]

We used the machines leaving Palma to return to the UK on Sunday eve. Maybe they are only open at certain times.

Only for the special people eh...

 

[Pocket_Buddy]

Coming into Palma they have been using the new machines for a while.

Returning to the UK you still need to see the man in the booth... so far

Bit confused with this....
When I arrived in Palma 2 weeks ago, we went to the usual booths (Just after the glass bridge) and nothing looked different. When leaving Palma a week ago, where the old booths were, there was lots of new machines and new boths to the left hand side.

 

[alcanadakid]

We arrived yesterday and hardly recognised terminal A. The passport booths are in a completely different place and alongside 40 automatic machines, which weren't working. Thought we had landed somewhere else until we recognised some bits.

 

[bobley]

They're clearly still building. Hopefully no reason for post brexit delays at the airport then.

 

[Lorenzo]

Yes, Terminal À looked completely different when we arrived late on Thursday evening 19th July 2018. A whole bank of New passport machines had appeared behind the shops/bar/fast food area. The passport machines were simpler to use than those at the end of the glass walkway we'd used 2 weeks ago. There was no finger print reader, just a scanner to put your passport in & à screen to look at. There were no queues at all. But then a longish walk through some unfamiliar corridors until we arrived at the glass walkway. The travelators were working �� and the old passport booths at the end were screened off as were the 'new' machines we'd used 2 weeks ago.

 

[Diver Val]

How about this for security. My hubby handed me the passport which I duly held up and handed over to be scanned, the security guy was busy talking to his colleague in the next booth. I was handed it back and duly waived through, when I got through, I looked at the passport and it was my husbands !!! He too got through using mine !!

 

[Hanser]

Sunday 11:00 used new gates when leaving Palma. Zero queues. Those with children were directed to traditional booths. There were no queues there either.

For arrivals, plenty of staff directing passengers who were still using their homing instincts and not looking at signs.

Long queues for families but moving quickly. Zero queues for the automatic gates.

All very good.

 

[mwc]

We arrived into Palma on Friday mid morning, straight through passport control no problems at all.

 

[JPALCOVER]

We arrived into Palma on Friday mid morning, straight through passport control no problems at all.

Quoting the Schweppes ad: "Hey, what did you expect?"