Storm Halts Airport Operations Temporarily
Intense rainfall on Saturday 17th October led to the cancellation of 45 scheduled flights at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport, affecting both departures and arrivals. The storm, which brought over 76 litres of rain per square metre, caused a temporary suspension of operations around 11 PM, according to reports from Aena, the Spanish airport authority.
Weather stations near the airport recorded 80.3 litres per square metre on Saturday, nearly double the precipitation from a previous storm earlier in the week. The severe weather prompted Civil Protection to issue a maximum danger-level alert across Catalonia, disrupting transport networks including Rodalies commuter trains and air travel.
Delays Continue Into Sunday
By Sunday 18th October, airport operations were gradually recovering, though passengers faced ongoing delays. Aena confirmed that some flights might still be affected as the schedule returned to normal. Early on Sunday, only one flight, a Saturday service to Rome, remained officially cancelled, but airlines had also suspended the air bridge between Barcelona and Madrid around midnight due to the weather.
Passengers were advised to arrive early and verify flight statuses before travelling to the airport. Some travellers heeded the warnings, arriving earlier than scheduled to avoid last-minute disruptions.
"The day is very complicated due to the storms," air traffic controllers told Barcelona Press, explaining that reduced operations and increased spacing between aircraft were necessary for safety.
Passengers Urged to Check Flight Status
Aena recommends all passengers check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. Information on departures and arrivals can be found on the official Aena website, where updates are posted in real time.
Travellers on Schengen or domestic flights should arrive at least two hours before departure, and three hours for non-Schengen destinations, to allow time for check-in and security.
Primary sources: aena.es. Reported by Redacción de Barcelona Press, aviation24.be, Rédaction AeroSillage, efe.com, elconfidencial.com, prataldia.com, travelmole.com, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, ACN, El Baix, AEMET, Barna Diario.
