On Monday, a widespread blackout hit Spain and Portugal, causing significant disruptions across both countries. Major cities, including Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona, and Valencia, experienced blackouts that left them without electricity and internet connectivity. Red Eléctrica, the Spanish power distributor, reported that restoring power might take between 6 to 10 hours, leading to chaos in transport and communication networks. The severity of the situation prompted Eduardo Prieto, head of operations at Red Eléctrica, to describe the event as “unprecedented” and “extraordinary,” highlighting the unprecedented scale of the blackout.
The impact of the blackout was particularly pronounced at airports in both nations, where many flights were either delayed or canceled. While airports did not completely shut down, they operated on backup electrical systems, causing significant confusion. Madrid’s airport saw many domestic flights and those to Portugal being canceled, with potential further disruptions anticipated if power restoration was delayed. International travelers bound for the United States and Latin America faced severe delays and rescheduling, leaving many passengers stranded during a critical travel time.
Barcelona’s airport reported international flights experiencing delays of one to two hours, while numerous domestic flights were grounded. Other regional airports in popular tourist destinations, such as Alicante and Malaga, reported limited cancellations of domestic services. Aena, the organization managing Spain’s 56 airports, encouraged travelers to stay informed by checking with their respective airlines for flight updates, while passengers seeking immediate information were left uncertain about their travel plans.
The airline EasyJet acknowledged the impact of the blackout on its operations and specifically mentioned disruptions at airports in Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. While some flights were grounded, EasyJet assured passengers departing from Porto and Faro that their flights were operating as scheduled. The airline offered assistance to stranded passengers, including free transfers or flight vouchers for those unable to travel, emphasizing the need for travelers to remain updated through local travel advisories.
Train services in both Spain and Portugal also suffered significant disruptions due to the blackout. In Spain, videos broadcasted on television demonstrated passengers evacuating subway stations in Madrid and empty platforms in Barcelona, as the country’s railway operator, Renfe, confirmed that operations were entirely suspended due to the nationwide power failure. Passengers who were anticipating travel faced extended delays, with Renfe announcing via social media that all train services were grounded. Portugal’s rail network was also severely impacted by the blackout, overlapping with a pre-existing national strike that caused further cancellations.
Although neighboring France experienced minor power outages, its train services remained largely unaffected. In regions like the French Basque Country, electrical power was restored quickly, suggesting that the shutdown in Spain and Portugal was isolated. As travelers continued to await updates regarding power restoration and service resumption, the situation highlighted the vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure and the domino effects that such outages can have on transportation and travel across borders.
