Weather Disruption at Palma Airport: DANA Causes Significant Flight Delays
Thursday, August 15th, 2024
Ongoing Weather-Related Flight Delays on 15th of August 2024
Following the disruptions on Wednesday, Palma Airport is again facing significant flight delays on Thursday, the 15th of August 2024. The current adverse weather conditions, which have emerged after a prolonged heatwave, are causing severe disruptions to normal flight operations. This abrupt change in weather, marked by storms and heavy rainfall, is the primary cause of the ongoing delays.
Understanding DANA: The Weather Phenomenon Behind the Storms
The weather disturbance responsible for these issues is known as a ‘gota fría’ (“cold drop”) or DANA. This stands for “Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos,” which translates to “Isolated High Level Depression“. This meteorological event occurs when a pocket of cold air becomes isolated at high altitudes, detached from the surrounding atmosphere. As this cold air descends, it encounters warmer, moisture-rich air at lower levels.
This interaction often results in dramatic weather shifts, particularly heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Mallorca, due to its geographical position and the influence of warm Mediterranean air, is particularly vulnerable to DANA events, especially in late summer and autumn. These conditions can lead to intense rainfall over a short period, causing flooding and flash floods.
Impact on Flight Operations at Palma Airport
DANA events are notorious for disrupting flight schedules at Palma Airport. On Wednesday, delays affected both arrivals and departures, with most flights experiencing several hours of delay from midday onwards. Additionally, numerous flights were cancelled, and some incoming flights had to be diverted to alternative airports. The situation remains tense today, with delays and further cancellations expected throughout the day.
Continued Severe Weather Warnings
The DANA continues to impact Mallorca today, Thursday. According to forecasts from the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet), heavy rainfall is expected to persist across the island. An orange alert has been issued for the potential of up to 50 litres of rain per square metre within an hour or up to 150 litres within two to three hours. This alert is in effect until 6 p.m.
Increased Passenger Numbers Over the Long Weekend
The arrival of DANA coincides with the Spanish public holiday on Thursday, the 15th of August, a time when many travellers take advantage of the long weekend for short getaways. This surge in passenger numbers, combined with the challenging weather conditions, is likely to lead to further delays at Palma Airport. Passengers are advised to plan accordingly and prepare for potential disruptions.
Update 16/8/2024
Over the past two days, a significant number of passengers have experienced prolonged delays at Palma Airport, with many forced to remain at the airport overnight. In response, some travellers set up makeshift tents and spread towels and clothing on the floor in an effort to make their wait more bearable.
Today, operations at Palma Airport are gradually returning to normal. Although numerous flights continue to experience delays, most are now limited to under 30 minutes, marking a substantial improvement from the disruptions of the previous days.
The airport has faced criticism for the extent of delays and cancellations over the last 48 hours. However, a spokesperson defended the airport’s actions, emphasising that passenger safety remains the highest priority and cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
While the worst of the severe weather appears to have passed, a yellow alert for rain and storms remains in effect until 6 pm on Friday, downgraded from Thursday’s orange warning.
Update 17/8/2024
Following the significant disruptions to flight operations in Palma de Mallorca over the past few days, the situation has shown continued improvement this Saturday. Due to weather-related issues, close to 350 flights were cancelled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with almost all remaining flights experiencing substantial delays.
In response, the number of air traffic controllers at Palma Airport was increased yesterday to help restore normal operations. Additionally, the weather conditions have stabilised, allowing take-offs and landings to proceed without further hindrance.
Featured image courtesy of Raychel Scanner – Pexels
