News
The people’s paper Issue No. 1897
11 - 17 Nov 2021
Optimists in front of Palma Cathedral
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MIGRANT FLIGHT DRAMA
Regatta returns AFTER being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the 70th Ciutat de Palma Trophy, will finally be held between December 4 and 7 to coincide with the holiday bridge of Constitution Day and Festival of the Immaculate Conception. The regatta, organised by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), will bring together boats of the Optimist, 29er, 420 and ILCA 4 and 6 classes from all over Europe with an estimated 300 plus sailors taking part. The Ciutat de Palma Trophy is the oldest sporting competition in the Balearic Islands as the competition first took place in 1950, two years after the founding of the Real Club Náutico de Palma. The optimist event is open to youngsters under the age of 15 and is supported by the Palma Council. Many will be pleased to see the sight of these small sailboats in the Palma waters and to welcome participants from not just Spain, but eight other countries including England and even Thailand. Apart from the excitement of the regatta itself, this will be yet another shot in the arm for the local hospitality industry with entrants and their families spending several nights in local hotels.
THE BEST FINANCE NEWS ON PAGES 14 - 17
SON BUGADELLES: The first car fills up with gas.
CNG station open
EMERGENCY LANDING: A plan was forced to divert to Mallorca for alleged medical reasons.
AVIATION protocol was brought into question on Friday November 5 by an unprecedented event in Spanish air traffic history. A plane from Morocco was diverted to Palma de Mallorca airport for an emergency landing for alleged medical reasons. However, it was later suspected to be part of a plan for a group of individuals to enter Spain illegally. This type of incident has never happened before and will prompt a review of the current security systems in place. It is expected that new protocols will have to be introduced to prevent similar acts. So far, 12 of the people involved have been de-
tained and charged with crimes of sedition, illegal entry, and public disorder. Investigations showed the flight was originally planned on a Facebook group. Official accounts revealed the Air Arabia Maroc plane was diverted to land at Son Sant Joan after taking off from Casablanca on its way to Istanbul. When the fake medical patient was rushed to hospital, several passengers asked to leave the plane to smoke. When their request was refused, they intimidated staff and used force to make their way onto the runway. Around 60 other flights were diverted or delayed because of the incident.
When put in front of a judge on Monday November 8, 11 of the 12 detainees refused to testify. The only one prepared to speak was the man who faked illness to instigate the emergency landing. The man had previously been arrested in Spain back in 2020 and charged with damage and resistance to authority. He now faces charges of violation of immigration law. All 12 detainees were ordered to be held on remand. Several other individuals escaped the scene and are still on the run. The Guardia Civil and the National Police have mounted a search party to find the fugitives.
THE gas station, located in the TIB depot of the Son Bugadelles industrial estate in Calvia has been supplying compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel to Moventis’ fleet of 50 TIB buses since January. With effect from November 10, it will also be open to the public to provide CNG to both passenger cars and lorries, coaches and vans. It offers fast-loading compressed natural gas and has two supply lanes with NGV 1 and NGV2 spouts. This is a self-service and credit card payment point. Opening hours to the public are from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm. The TIB fleet has other gas stations, located in Felanitx, Arta, Alcudia and Inca and is currently giving consideration to opening this service to other vehicles.