Passenger Chaos at Spanish Airports Due to Severe Weather

Thousands of travelers have found themselves stranded at a Spanish airport as severe weather, characterized by heavy rain and storms, has caused a number of flight disruptions. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has raised alarms in Mallorca and Menorca, warning of further potential delays at Palma Airport. A major impact has been felt with approximately 120 flights affected, spanning both departures and arrivals, resulting in widespread inconvenience for passengers. Notably, among the cancellations were two flights arriving from Paris, while Menorca Airport reported four cancellations involving flights to and from Barcelona.

On Thursday, an orange alert was issued for areas including Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community due to predicted severe weather conditions. This alert highlights the risk of intense storms that could bring hail, strong wind gusts, and heavy rainfall, possibly reaching up to 40 liters per square meter within an hour. Areas most vulnerable to these conditions include the coastal and pre-coastal regions of Barcelona and Girona, where the authorities are advising residents to remain cautious and prepared.

The Spanish air traffic control authority, Enaire, communicated on social media about the expected continuation of adverse weather in the eastern region, which may further impact airport operations in both Barcelona and Palma. Barcelona-El Prat airport has been particularly affected, with reports of cancellations and delays extending from 60 to 90 minutes on Thursday morning. Current operations at the airport are occurring at just 60% of its usual capacity, highlighting the extent of the disruption faced by travelers.