Trade sees limited logistical impact of mass power outage in Iberia

Travel agents and tour operators said Monday’s mass power outage in Spain and Portugal caused some logistical issues for clients – but warned a repeat in summer would bring firms “to their knees”.

 

Flights and holidays were scheduled to go ahead as usual yesterday (Tuesday) with Jet2holidays, easyJet holidays and Tui closely monitoring the situation.

 

Short breaks operator Kirker Holidays reported airport transfer issues, with vehicles banned from picking up or dropping off clients after the outage brought down electricity supplies across both countries and parts of France on Monday (April 28).

 

Managing director Ted Wake said: “In Lisbon, some clients who couldn’t fly out stayed an extra night and we re-booked them to fly out today (Tuesday).”

 

There were also issues for clients arriving in Spain and Portugal.

 

He said: “The challenge was to link up the Kirker private car transfer drivers with clients.

 

“This was achieved successfully with determined drivers who were not permitted to reach the airport pick-up points but found ‘creative’ ways to meet up with customers.”

 

Similarly, clients’ luggage was stuck at airports after baggage carousels stopped working.

 

“The hotels did all they could to provide services – and clients who had cash managed more easily if electronic credit card payments were impossible. We are working with clients today who were happy (and very relieved) to find that we were able to get them to their hotel yesterday albeit without their bags, which are being sent on or collected today,” added Wake.

 

Tivoli Travel director Jo Richards said the agency had one client who called to say his hotel was affected by the power outage but added: “Everything seems to be back to normal now. Had it been last week, during the Easter holidays, it might have been a different story.”

 

Premier Travel managing director Paul Waters admitted he had been concerned at first about the potential impact on customers and the wider industry.

 

But he said: “Those initial concerns were quickly eased as we contacted key suppliers and reviewed our upcoming bookings in the affected areas. Thankfully, everything seemed fine once power was restored. In short, it has had very little impact on Premier Travel and our customers.”

 

A spokesperson for Vista, Hays Travel’s B2B tour operator, agreed: “Thankfully, the power outage in Spain and Portugal had minimum impact on our customers. Most flights left in the morning before the incident, and later flights went ahead as scheduled. As with all incidents, we continue to monitor the situation.”

 

The Specialist Travel Association (Aito) executive director Martyn Sumners warned the outcome could have been far worse in peak season, with operators having to refund clients as per the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs).

 

“We have got off lightly as we are still in the low, shoulder season,” he said, adding: “If this happens in the peak season, it will ruin the whole of the summer.”

 

He stressed a similar situation in summer would highlight the need for the PTRs to change.

 

“Agents and operators would be on their knees, picking up the pieces, with operators footing the bill because of something out of their control because of the PTRs; this needs to change,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Spanish Tourist Office praised the “swift response” of authorities, saying they worked “tirelessly” to support locals and visitors.

 

It said: “Spain’s electricity grid operator, Red Eléctrica, has been working continuously to restore power across the country, and full electricity services have now been successfully reinstated.

 

“Throughout the episode, we maintained regular communication with our partners in the UK to keep them updated on developments and to provide any necessary support. Our commitment to the safety and well-being of all visitors remains a priority.”

 

A Visit Portugal spokesperson advised the trade to monitor the UK foreign office travel advice, adding: “UK travellers in Portugal are advised to check directly with their airline or tour operator for the latest updates on flight status before heading to the airport.

 

“Visit Portugal’s UK team remains available to assist with any queries and can be reached at info.uk@turismodeportugal.pt.”

 

Map of Spain and Portugal by Gualberto Becerra/Shutterstock