Spain airport shuts as dramatic storm causes huge floods

Ben Hurst

12 June 2024 at 8:05 am·2-min read

Palma Airport was hit by a storm which saw around 40 flights diverted as the runway flooded — -Credit: (Image: Getty)

A major airport in Majorca was shut down after 2 inches of rain fell in an hour sparking huge flooding. Videos on X, formerly Twitter, showed aircraft surrounded by water at Palma Airport on Majorca, and around 40 flights were diverted.

X flight watching account Controladores Aéreos said: “Storms at the airport of #Palma . Delays and some detours to alternative airports for security. #SafetyFirst.” Further images showed flight maps of the aircraft in holding patterns and being diverted.

Footage showed water pouring into the airport as passengers pushed luggage out of the way and nearby roads flooded. One picture showed an aircraft which had landed standing in water almost up to one of the engines.

The airport weather station reported that nearly 5cm (2in) per hour fell, peaking at up to 9cm (3.5in) in less than an hour. Flights were unable to take off and land at Majorca’s international airport on Wednesday because of flooding on its runways, following heavy rain that hit the popular Spanish holiday island.

Aena, the operator of Palma de Mallorca Airport, confirmed there was flooding in some entrances to the facility and in the terminal building. It said in a statement that operations such as flights were suspended. "Palma de Mallorca Airport has reactivated its operations after the storm. The first takeoffs and landings have already begun and it is expected that the diverted flights will land during the afternoon at the Palma airport. The Airport continues working to normalize operations. Aena recommends passengers consult with their airline before travelling to the airport."

In an alert today it said more storms will be incoming. On X Aena said: "Forecast of adverse weather due to storms in #Baleares and #Cataluña @AEMET_Esp If you are going to fly from the airports of #Palma of Mallorca and Josep Tarradellas #Barcelona - #ElPrat , we recommend that you check with your airline the status of your flight."

Later on Controladores Aéreos said: “Quite a few flights have already taken off from Palma and some are starting to arrive. Even so, it will take a long time to return to normal. The nearly 40 flights diverted to alternative airports must return, adding to the delayed and scheduled air traffic that, at this time, is quite intense at the #Palma airport. All of this centralized through Eurocontrol, which is the body that assigns departure slots.”

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