- A storm system forced flight diversions and cancellations at Balearic and Valencia airports on 18 October.
- Ibiza airport halted operations for more than two hours.
- Sixteen flights were diverted and five cancelled during the halt.
- Palma de Mallorca recorded delays across its schedule.
- AEMET issued its highest red alert for parts of Mallorca and Valencia.
A severe storm system known as a Dana has forced flight diversions, cancellations and delays at airports in the Balearic Islands and Valencia on 18 October. Operations at Ibiza airport were halted for more than two hours because of intense rainfall and the need to clear water from the airfield. During that period sixteen flights were diverted and five cancelled including services from Bristol, Eindhoven, Madrid, Brussels, Berlin and London.
Palma de Mallorca recorded delays across its schedule while Valencia airport experienced knock-on delays from the affected airspace even though the storm did not hit the airport directly. Several departures including services to Milan, Geneva and Zurich left more than an hour late. Air traffic controllers warned of further disruption with thunderstorms forecast over eastern Spain and the islands.
The state weather agency AEMET issued its highest red alert for parts of Mallorca and Valencia. Ibiza Airport ground operations were halted twice on Sunday due to safety reasons. Torrential downpours overwhelmed the terminal causing ceilings to leak and sewers to overflow into the departures area. Airport operator Aena reported 27 flight cancellations and 16 diversions at Ibiza. Access to the airport was restricted after the main motorway flooded.
