Popular Spanish airport flooded as over 100 flights affected by massive storm, leaving Britons scrambling
A popular Spanish airport has been severely affected after torrential rain flooded the island of Majorca.
Over 100 of the “more than 900 flights” set to take off from the holiday hot-spot island have been impacted by the storm – with travel hubs frequented by Britons such as Gatwick, Luton and Bristol, all falling victim to cancellations and delays.
Palma de Mallorca Airport, the country’s third biggest, has told passengers to check before travelling there, with delays and cancellations confirmed expected until late tonight.
Photos and videos show water falling from the ceiling, with passengers trying to take cover from leaking roofs.
In one hour, 45 litres of water is reported to have fallen, causing the airport to activate its “emergency plan”.
The weather station at the airport recorded rainfall of nearly 5cm per hour, peaking at up to 9cm in less than an hour.
Meanwhile, in duty-free, shelves became drenched as the rainwater relentlessly poured down.
A statement on the website of the airport warned: “Operation limited by a strong storm. Check with your company before going to the airport.”
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A spokesperson for Aena, the operator of Palma de Mallorca Airport, said around 8.30pm local time: “Of the more than 900 flights programmed for today, 100 have been affected by way of diversions or cancellations.
“The airport operation was suspended for around two hours, from just after 3pm to around 5.30pm.
“During that timeframe no flight left or landed at Palma de Mallorca airport.”
She added: “The situation now is one of normality although there are generalised delays. The sky is clear once again and it appears it’s not going to rain again.
“It’s still too early to say if and how much damage inside the airport the flooding has caused.”
Palma de Mallorca Airport is Spain’s third biggest airport
Wikimedia Commons
Holidaymakers said that they experienced “chaos” as the rain hammered down, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Transport minister Oscar Puente said flights to Majorca were temporarily re-routed to alternative airports.
Operations have since been reactivated after the storm.
“The first take-offs and landings have already begun and it is expected that the diverted flights will land during the afternoon at the Palma airport,” an Aena spokesperson said in an updated statement.
“The airport continues working to normalise operations.”
