Severe Weather and High Passenger Volumes: Palma Airport Faces Delays Once Again
Friday, November 1st, 2024
On Friday, 1st November 2024, Palma Airport is once again facing delays, resulting from a combination of adverse weather, high flight volumes, and staff shortages.
One key factor contributing to the delays is severe weather moving towards the island. An isolated low-pressure system known as a DANA is approaching Mallorca, bringing intense storms. This weather front has already wrought devastation in Valencia, tragically resulting in numerous fatalities.
Early on Friday, an orange-level weather alert was issued across Mallorca, warning of heavy rains and storms that could bring up to 50 litres of rain per square metre per hour in some areas. In response, emergency services in the Balearic Islands have activated the IG-1 weather alert under the Meteobal programme for storms and rainfall. Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution, and, as a precaution, all cemeteries and public parks in Palma have been closed from 2 p.m. on Friday until Monday, the 4th of November.
However, the unpredictable weather is not the only issue impacting airport operations. A further complication is the surge in passenger numbers due to the extended holiday weekend in Spain. The Spanish airport operator Aena reported that 2,217 flights are scheduled between Thursday and Sunday, with over 500 take-offs and landings each day. With backlogged flights from previous days’ weather-related delays, congestion is adding further strain to air traffic.
Adding to these challenges, Palma Airport is also contending with a staffing shortfall, as some air traffic controllers are on sick leave or taking annual leave. This has resulted in reduced personnel to manage the increased traffic during a particularly busy period.
Given these difficult circumstances, passengers are advised to stay updated on their flight status and, if in doubt, to reach out to their airline.
