Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
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ALL flights are being delayed or cancelled in Spain after huge flooding has hit popular airports.

Palma de Mallorca Airport has been told passengers to check before travelling to the airport.

Palma Airport has been forced to cancel or delay all flights4

Palma Airport has been forced to cancel or delay all flightsCredit: Solarpix
Images show planes on the flooded runways

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Images show planes on the flooded runwaysCredit: Solarpix
Flights are being diverted to other airports

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Flights are being diverted to other airportsCredit: Solarpix

Floods have affected a number of British holiday hotspots in Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Valencia and Alicante.

It has also affected the main airport in Majorca, resulting in the majority of flights being cancelled or delayed.

Water has been pictured falling from the ceiling with planes grounded on flooded runways.

The website states: “Palma de Mallorca Airport has temporarily limited operations due to the impact of a strong storm and has activated the emergency plan for flooding.”

“Check with your company before going to the airport.”

They added that they have ben forced to activate its “emergency plan” after 45l of water fell in one hour.

A number of UK flights have been cancelled.

London Southend Airport wrote: “Due to adverse weather in Palma de Mallorca, tonight’s @easyJet departure (scheduled for 20.35L) to the Spanish city has been cancelled.

“Please contact the airline for further information.

Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions

Delayed flights between the UK and the Spanish airport include:

  • 5:15pm from Southampton with British Airways
  • 5:30pm from London Gatwick with easyJet
  • 5:35pm to London Luton with easyJet
  • 6:25pm from Birmingham with Ryanair
  • 6:30pm from London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 7pm from Leeds with TUI
  • 7:35pm from London Heathrow with British Airways
  • 7:40pm from London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 8:10pm to London City with British Airways
  • 8:10pm to London Stansted with Ryanair
  • 8pm to Manchester with TUI
  • 9:10pm to Manchester with TUI

And a number of other flights across Europe are being delayed or cancelled.

Most are being rerouted to other nearby airports in Spain.

The airport shows all flights being diverted or cancelled

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The airport shows all flights being diverted or cancelledCredit: Solarpix

Thousands are expected to be affected – passenger traffic at Palma de Mallorca Airport last year reached 31.1 million, an all-time record.

Flight compensation rules

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

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