Flooding forcing the temporary closure of Palma airport caused “considerable” flight disruption on Tuesday as intense rain fell in Majorca.
The deluge forced Spain’s third largest airport to ground the majority of flights, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers.
Operations were suspended after being “severely affected” by the heavy storm, affecting an estimated 100 flights
The airport said that a “large number” of flights were cancelled or delayed due to the adverse weather conditions.
Incoming flights were diverted as Palma airport was “unable to accommodate them safely”.
The situation left many travellers stranded or facing considerable delays, although services have since resumed as the rain subsided.
An emergency plan was activated in response to the crisis as the airport faced “significant challenges” affecting operations, access and infrastructure.
“Despite the airport’s emergency plan being in place to manage the situation, the immediate impact on flights and passengers is considerable,” a statement said.
“Travellers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information on flight status.”
The airport added: “The heavy downpours have resulted in significant flooding, hindering access to Palma airport.
“Parts of the airport building and runways have been affected by the deluge, making it challenging for both passengers and staff to navigate the facilities.
“The queue to access the car park extends a considerable distance, exacerbating the difficulties faced by those trying to reach the airport.”
The storm brought an unprecedented 45 litres of rain in just one hour, with peaks reaching up to 90 litres, according to state meteorological agency AEMET, which forecast more rain for today.
“This extreme weather event has overwhelmed the airport’s drainage systems and caused water to pour in through the roof of the building, leading to the severe flooding and subsequent operational challenges,” the airport said.