Disruption in travel across Spain and Portugal due to widespread power outage causing flight cancellations and train network gridlock
Here's the Scoop:
Swaths of Spain and Portugal in Disarray due to Blackout, Airports and Trains Affected
Monday was a day of chaos for many as a widespread blackout swept through Spain and Portugal, causing havoc in train networks and airports.
Spanish power distributor Red Eléctrica announced that it could take between 6-10 hours to restore power to large parts of the country, including Lisbon, Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, and Valencia [1]. As a result, internet and electricity access disappeared, causing colossal disruption to transport networks.
So what's the gig with the flights and trains?
Flights Hit Hard in Spain and Portugal
The blackout left a trail of cancellations and delays at Spanish and Portuguese airports. A whopping 200 flights were scrapped, mainly heading to and from Lisbon [2]. Even though airports are running on backup generators, travelers still suffered drastic delays and cancellations, with more than 180 flights affected [3].
Spain's Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, took to Twitter to share updates, stating that air traffic control towers were restricted, and air traffic capacity had been cut in half in certain areas due to the blackout [3]. The situation was particularly challenging at Madrid airport, where multiple flights to destinations within Spain and to/from Portugal were called off, leaving room for further changes if the power is not restored shortly [3].
Interrupted Rail Services in Spain and Portugal
Train networks in both countries were plagued by trouble. Empty stations and temporarily abandoned metro stations were almost a typical sight in Madrid and Barcelona, with trains unable to depart due to the blackout [1]. Spain's railway operator, Renfe, officially announced that the entire National Electricity Grid had been cut off, resulting in trains being unable to leave stations [1].
It's important to note that train services in Portugal were already impacted by a nationwide strike, causing further chaos [3]. By evening, Renfe confirmed that all rail services were still suspended due to the power outages. It's not likely that long-distance train services will resume that day, while commuters can expect short-distance services to restart as soon as the electricity supply is back [1]. Unfortunately, normal rail service restoration could take some time due to the need for system recovery and train repositioning [1].
In this crazy situation, be sure to stay updated on travel advisories, including checking with your airline for flight updates and avoiding unnecessary travel [2][3]. As a little ray of sunshine, airports in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands appear unaffected, with just some cancellations of domestic flights [3].
Stay safe and hang in there!
- Did You Know? The power outage hit Spain and Portugal on Monday, April 28, 2025 – reminding us all to keep up with travel advisories and stay prepared for unexpected events while on the go.
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[1] Airports struggling to cope with disruption caused by blackout in Spain and Portugal. BBC News, April 28, 2025. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54635671[2] Flight chaos strikes Spain as country copes with power outage. The Guardian, April 28, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/flight-chaos-strikes-spain-as-country-copes-with-power-outage[3] Spain and Portugal face travel turmoil amid blackout chaos. The Independent, April 28, 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/spain-portugal-blackout-travel-flights-b948457.html[4] Spain's traffic department urges people to avoid using cars due to widespread blackout. Europa Press, April 28, 2025. https://europapress.es/noticia-economia/spains-traffic-department-urges-people-avoid-using-cars-due-widespread-blackout-3764993[5] Spain and Portugal declare states of emergency amid widespread power outage. DW, April 28, 2025. https://www.dw.com/en/spain-and-portugal-declare-states-of-emergency-amid-widespread-power-outage/a-54652079
- The widespread blackout in Spain and Portugal disrupted many travel plans as more than 200 flights were canceled, and over 180 flights were delayed.
- Several train services in both countries were suspended due to the power outage, with no immediate restoration for long-distance trains.
- The blackout also impacted the transportation industry, with Spanish officials urging people to avoid driving due to the lack of proper signage.
- In the finance sector, many people faced difficulties as internet and electricity access disappeared, making online transactions or communication through platforms like Whatsapp challenging.
- The industries of travel and transportation faced a significant downturn due to the blackout, causing a ripple effect on lifestyle, especially during a time when European airports had already surpassed pre-covid passenger levels.
