Chaos at Palma Airport: Thunderstorms Trigger Hundreds of Delays and Flight Cancellations

Storms Disrupt Palma's Flight Schedule

Heading to Palma airport this afternoon, you could feel right away: it's not only a bad day for the weather but also for travel plans. Thunderstorm cells and heavy rain forced air traffic control to take cautious decisions—with visible consequences for passengers and airlines.

What happened exactly

According to the latest counts, 906 flights were scheduled for September 9. Of these, by early afternoon around 41 flights had already been canceled, nine aircraft had to be redirected to other airports. The wait times are notable: departures were delayed on average by about 3 hours and 15 minutes, arrivals by around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Particularly affected were connections to Germany and domestic flights within Spain—travelers reported long lines at information desks and calls with stressed family members. At Gate B5, several passengers stood with rolling suitcases, while the taxi queue outside was slowly moving.

Weather data and warning level

The meteorologists of the national weather agency AEMET reported locally extreme rainfall rates: at times 22 liters per square meter in ten minutes, within an hour peak values around 34 liters. Therefore Mallorca remains under the Orange warning level, forecast to stay active until Wednesday morning. Experts warn that locally up to 50 liters per square meter could fall in a short period, and even more in extended showers.

Why delays happen

Air traffic controllers must maintain larger time gaps between takeoffs and landings during thunderstorms—pure safety precaution. This drastically reduces runway capacity. Aena and the airport management emphasize that decisions are made solely for safety reasons.

Tips for affected travelers

If you are traveling today: check your flight status, call the airline, and plan for extra time. Many airlines offer rebooking options; also check locally in the terminals. And yes, a double espresso in the departure area can't hurt — the cafes are busy today.

The situation remains dynamic. Authorities and airport operators monitor developments, road maintenance crews are on the move, and emergency services are on standby. For many today, it meant: patience, perseverance, and a Plan B.