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Spanish airport delays and cancels ALL flights after huge flooding

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5 months ago

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Spanish airport delays and cancels ALL flights after huge flooding

FLIGHTS from a popular Spanish airport are being delayed or cancelled as tourist hotspots are hit by severe flooding.

Pictures show planes at Palma de Mallorca Airport grounded on flooded runways as torrential rain batters the island.

Images show planes being stuck on flooded runways at Palma de Mallorca AirportCredit: Solarpix
A pushback tractor half-submerged in waterCredit: Solarpix
The entire airport has been floodedCredit: Solarpix
A Ryanair flight was seen stranded on the runway amid the torrential downpoursCredit: Solarpix

Others showed passengers inside the terminal trying to take cover as water leaked from the ceiling.

Passengers have been told to check before travelling to the airport.

The website states: “Palma de Mallorca Airport has temporarily limited operations due to the impact of a strong storm and has activated the emergency plan for flooding.”

“Check with your company before going to the airport.”

They added that they have been forced to activate its “emergency plan” after 45l of water per square metre fell in one hour.

A spokesperson added: “According to the Aemet met agency, almost 45 litres of rain per square metre fell in one hour, with peaks of up to 90 litres, causing flooding both at some access points to the airport and in the terminal building.”

A number of UK flights have been cancelled.

London Southend Airport wrote: “Due to adverse weather in Palma de Mallorca, tonight’s @easyJet departure (scheduled for 20.35L) to the Spanish city has been cancelled.

“Please contact the airline for further information.”

Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions

Delayed flights between the UK and the Spanish airport include:

  • 5:15pm from Southampton with British Airways
  • 5:30pm from London Gatwick with easyJet
  • 5:35pm to London Luton with easyJet
  • 6:25pm from Birmingham with Ryanair
  • 6:30pm from London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 7pm from Leeds with TUI
  • 7:35pm from London Heathrow with British Airways
  • 7:40pm from London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 8:10pm to London City with British Airways
  • 8:10pm to London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 8pm to Manchester with TUI
  • 9:10pm to Manchester with TUI

And a number of other flights across Europe are being delayed or cancelled.

Most are being rerouted to other nearby airports in Spain.

Floods have hit a number of holiday hotspots in Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Valencia and Alicante.

Aemet, Spain’s Meteorological Agency, has forecast more rain across the country today, as well as Thursday.

Passenger traffic at Palma de Mallorca Airport last year reached 31.1 million, an all-time record.

Palma Airport has been forced to cancel or delay the majority of flightsCredit: Solarpix
The airport shows all flights being diverted or cancelledCredit: Solarpix

Flight compensation rules

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

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