By Lottie Verrier

Copyright euroweeklynews

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is set to dock in the Bay of Palma from October 3 to 8.

Boasting 4,500 personnel, the local economy will enjoy a €10 million boost due to increased spending on hotels, restaurants, shopping and travel.

Drawing on past visits from similar carriers like the USS Harry S. Truman, each crew member is estimated to spend between €200 and €400 per day.

Following a challenging summer for Mallorca’s local businesses, with tourist numbers down nearly 20 per cent, the arrival of the 1,100 foot carrier and its staff will be a welcome boost for
the island’s hospitality sector.

The award-winning vessel – which will spend six days in the Bay of Palma – has been deployed to the US 6th Fleet area of operations to defend US and allied interests in Europe and Africa,
and perform duties with NATO allies.

Named after former US president, Gerald Ford, the record-breaking vessel boasts cutting-edge technologies like an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting
Gear, a new nuclear reactor and the and the capacity to carry over 75 aircraft, alongside state-of-the-art radar and weapons systems.