Spain's blackout disrupts flights: what travelers need to know

Over 300 flights out of the 6,000 scheduled to and from Spain were cancelled on Monday due to a nationwide power outage, and the repercussions continue to affect flights and airports on Tuesday.

Remarkably, most flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Spain yesterday operated without issue, as major airports were equipped with backup generators. Power has since been restored to most of the country, and airport operator AENA reported this morning that all airports remain operational.

For those due to fly today or whose flights were cancelled yesterday, here’s what you need to know.

AENA recommends that passengers check the status of public transportation services to airports and consult with their airline regarding the status of their flight ahead of their journeys today.

El Prat Airport in Barcelona experienced around a dozen flight cancellations this morning, but the majority are reported to be on schedule. Meanwhile, Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport has also faced delays and cancellations, particularly due to challenges faced by passengers and crew in reaching the airport.

Passengers should be aware that there may be changes to timings and schedules rather than outright cancellations, making it crucial to verify details directly with their airline.

Iberia has cancelled 23 of its 247 scheduled flights this Tuesday and is offering rebooking options for affected travelers. However, other reports suggest that the airline is operating normally overall. Iberia has not publicly listed the cancelled flights but has prioritized long-haul connections, which are fully operational. Travelers with short-haul flights are advised to contact the airline for updates.

On their website, Iberia stated, “If you are travelling on April 28th or 29th to/from the Iberian Peninsula on flights operated by Iberia, Iberia Express, and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, and you purchased your ticket directly on our websites or through Serviberia until April 28th, you can book any flight on the same route or up to 300 km away, until May 11th, 2025.”

Cancellations may include flights from Madrid to Bilbao, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, so travelers flying to or from these destinations with Spain’s national carrier are encouraged to check their flight status.

EasyJet is also accommodating passengers by allowing free ticket exchanges for vouchers or flights within 72 hours. The budget airline has reported some disruptions and cancellations to flights to Madrid.

Air Europa plans to operate flights as airport capacity allows but cautions that delays may occur. They are also offering flexible date changes to assist travelers.

Vueling has announced via social media that operations are gradually returning to normal following the blackout but warned that some flights may still be impacted. They advise passengers to check their flight status through their official link.

Ryanair is closely monitoring delays and cancellations for flights operating to and from Spain and Portugal, notifying affected passengers via email. While they have not published a list of affected flights, they will inform passengers of any changes.

Jet2 has stated on its website that all flights are currently operating as normal today, April 29th, and they will provide further updates if changes arise.

Additionally, flights between Brussels and Spain may also experience disruptions due to a general strike in Belgium, although these are unrelated to the power outage.