A major power outage affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France is causing chaos, with traffic lights going dark, phone lines down, and entire subway systems grinding to a halt. The outage began around 12:30 PM local time on April 28, 2025, and has left airports struggling to manage incoming and outgoing flights.
Air traffic is reportedly operating at ‘half capacity’ across Spain due to the widespread power outage, and flights scheduled to depart from Valencia and Barcelona are now listed online as delayed or canceled. Madrid Barajas Airport has been hit hardest, with Aena, the Spanish-owned company that manages the airports, issuing a statement that contingency generators are active. They warned, “Due to the power outage, some incidents are occurring at the airports. Please check with your airline, as there may be disruptions to access and ground transportation.”
Passengers at Barcelona airport reported a ‘very unsettling’ moment when the entire airport was plunged into darkness. Ryanair confirmed they are monitoring potential disruptions to flights operating to and from all airports in Spain and Portugal, stating, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused as a result of this power outage, which is outside of our control.” EasyJet has also been affected, unable to operate three return flights from the UK, including two from Bristol and one from Luton.
In a statement, EasyJet acknowledged the disruptions, saying that power outages in Portugal and Spain are impacting access to some airports and affecting operations at Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. They added, “As a result, like all airlines, we are experiencing some disruption to our flying program meaning that some return flights from Lisbon and Madrid have been unable to operate.” They are providing free transfers to alternative EasyJet flights within 72 hours or offering flight vouchers for passengers unable to travel to the airport.
The Civil Aviation Authority states that UK and EU airlines must look after passengers if their flight is delayed or canceled. This includes providing meals, accommodation, and alternative flights when necessary. However, the situation is complicated by the nature of the outage; according to consumer watchdog Which?, a country-wide power outage is considered ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ meaning passengers may not be entitled to cash compensation.
As of 1:45 PM UTC, reports indicate that 32 flights were canceled at Lisbon Airport, with four diversions logged. Flights from various origins, including Luxembourg, Amsterdam, and Riga, have been rerouted due to the ongoing situation. Eurocontrol has indicated that a reduced rate of arriving aircraft will be accepted in Madrid and Barcelona for the rest of the day, with Lisbon Airport temporarily halting arrivals before resuming at a reduced rate.
The aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that around 200 flights, mostly to and from Lisbon, have been canceled so far. Over 500 flights were scheduled to operate from UK airports to Spain and Portugal today, accounting for nearly 100,000 seats. As the day progresses, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments of flight operations.
Transport systems are unraveling across the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish national rail company, Renfe, announced that power to its network had been cut, halting trains and throwing stations into chaos. Passengers faced significant delays, with no departures possible. The extensive high-speed rail network in Spain, which typically operates dozens of trains each hour, came to a standstill, affecting travel to and from major cities like Alicante, Valencia, Seville, and Malaga.
In both Madrid and Barcelona, the Metro networks were also halted, leaving passengers trapped on trains and in underground stations. Those opting for taxis encountered gridlock as traffic lights failed, exacerbating the chaos on the roads. Meanwhile, Portuguese Railways were not affected by the power outage due to a strike by rail workers that had already brought all services to a halt.
With up to 100,000 passengers expected to travel from Spain and Portugal to the UK today, many are left wondering about their rights if they cannot reach the airport. If a flight goes ahead, even with a delay, airlines may not provide support, often advising passengers to claim on their travel insurance instead. However, airlines are generally obliged to offer meals and accommodation until passengers can reach their destination.
As the situation develops, airlines are urged to provide clear communication to affected passengers. EasyJet reiterated their commitment to keeping customers informed, stating, “As the situation remains fluid, we are advising customers to check local travel advice and our flight tracker for information on their flights.” Ryanair also expressed their commitment to monitoring the situation closely.
As of the latest updates, Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona have seen the highest number of flight cancellations, with Portugal reporting a total of 113 cancellations and Spain 81. The delays across key airports are significant, with arrivals and departures from Lisbon experiencing 114 minutes of delays and 12 minutes of delays, respectively. Madrid is reporting 31 minutes of delays for arrivals and 63 for departures, while Barcelona shows 19 minutes of delays for arrivals and 39 for departures.
Travelers are advised to stay updated on their flight status and to understand their rights regarding compensation and support. Passengers who booked package holidays should check if their travel company is a member of ABTA, which provides guidance on what to do if flights are canceled. The ongoing power outage serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in transport systems and the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions.
