Heavy rains have caused significant flooding at the airport of Palma, the capital of Majorca, grounding flights.
The storm brought all activity to a halt at Son Sant Joan airport, Spain's third-biggest, due to the "impossibility of operating safely", operator Aena said in a statement.
The airport activated its emergency plan and flights to Majorca were temporarily re-routed to alternative airports, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said.
Flooding of Palma de Mallorca airport. Balearic Islands.
— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) June 11, 2024
--June 11, 2024--
Heavy rain led to partial flooding of the Palma de Mallorca airport building and its surroundings.
Water flooded some airport halls and surrounding roads, causing flight delays and travel difficulties. pic.twitter.com/lAaMWRD2Bd
Mr Puente later said on social media platform X that the airport was resuming operations as the rain subsided.
National weather agency AEMET said its station at the airport recorded rainfall of nearly 5cm per hour, with peaks of up to 9cm in less than an hour.
Videos posted on X appeared to show water streaming from the ceiling of the airport's shopping area, travellers in summer clothes drenched by water leaking through the windows and seeping out of buckets placed underneath.
Others featured cars struggling to navigate a flooded parking lot.
⛈️ Inundaciones a primera hora de la tarde en Can Pastilla (Palma). Fuente @OCRMallorca pic.twitter.com/cyHTWDoJ33
— Onda Cero Mallorca (@OCRMallorca) June 11, 2024
A number of UK flights with Easyjet, BA and Ryanair have been cancelled or disrupted.
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.”
Passenger traffic at Palma de Mallorca airport last year reached 31.1 million, an all-time record.
The Mediterranean island, known for its picturesque beaches and sunny weather, is one of Europe's most visited destinations, especially popular with German and British tourists.
