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The recent generation of mega-projects is considered a key element in the positioning of places on the global economic map. Among these large-scale projects, transport infrastructures play a double role. The construction of infrastructure of this kind constitutes a ’sink’ of investment capital in itself, but at the same time it facilitates further investments and capital flows since the fluid movement of capital requires certain physical infrastructures to be fixed in space (Harvey, 2003).

This paper aims to situate recent transport mega-projects within the context of planning theory and practice where the Plan has been superseded by the Project, leading to significant restructuration in this field (Swyngedouw, Moulaert & Rodríguez, 2002). The focus is the island of Mallorca, one of Europe’s first tourism destinations. The development of both the airport and its two ports has played a major role in the production of this tourist space. Through analyzing its most recent enlargement projects I make two arguments. First, the construction of socio-political consent on tourism as key sector has permitted the generalized acceptance of mega-projects for the benefit of the political and business elites. Second, the magnitude of these infrastructures – planned and ’imposed’ at national scale – determine planning at regional scale, interfering with certain attempts towards sustainability.