A severe hail storm on Monday caused Barcelona-El Prat Airport to cancel 70 flights and divert 18 more, according to Spain’s airport operator, Aena.
The news comes less than a week after, Valencia, about 300 kilometers to the South, faced severe flooding resulting in 217 fatalities, with the number expected to rise.
Heavy rains and hail caused extensive flooding in Terminal T1 and the airport’s parking areas. Maintenance crews were immediately deployed to drain the water and restore normal operations.
Air traffic controllers implemented a staggered departure strategy for safety reasons, which further exacerbated the delays.
A crisis committee was established at the airport to monitor the evolving situation. The disruptions resulted in stranded passengers, who gathered at airline check-in counters seeking alternative travel options. The storm also impacted other infrastructure, with Transport Minister Óscar Puente stating that some local rail services in Catalonia were suspended.
Although the rains eased by late morning, authorities are maintaining a high level of vigilance for potential further disruptions across the region’s transport networks.