Spain is facing major travel chaos as hundreds of flights were delayed and several were cancelled at Palma de Mallorca Airport this week. The disruptions began on Sunday, June 1, 2025, and have left thousands of passengers stranded or scrambling for alternatives as the busy holiday season peaks.
The main cause of the delays and cancellations is severe weather, with thunderstorms in Northern Europe triggering air traffic control restrictions. This has created a ripple effect across European airspace, grounding flights and throwing airline schedules into disarray.
easyJet was one of the most affected airlines, cancelling fewer than ten flights but delaying over 100 more. The airline said it provided hotel, food and drink vouchers to affected travelers, but the sheer number of stranded passengers overwhelmed customer service desks. Many families received cancellation notices just before boarding, leaving them without accommodation or alternative flights at a reasonable time.
Passengers described long queues at airline counters and hours of waiting for updates. Some were forced to book expensive last-minute hotels or pay two to three times the usual fare for new flights. One family, unable to rebook with EasyJet, bought costly Jet2 tickets just to get home in time for school.
Jet2 did not cancel any flights during this period, making it a popular, and expensive option for desperate travellers. Other airlines affected included Ryanair, Vueling and Eurowings, with delays and cancellations impacting both inbound and outbound flights at Palma de Mallorca Airport.
Airport operator AERA and Spain’s air navigation provider ENAIRE are managing the ongoing disruptions. They advise travellers to check flight statuses regularly and be prepared for further delays, as more storms are forecast for the coming days.
The timing of the chaos made things worse, hitting during the UK’s half-term holiday and the start of the summer travel rush. This led to bottlenecks as thousands tried to leave the island at once.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned that travellers should brace for a summer of delays, blaming “shoddy” air traffic control services and staff shortages across Europe. He called for urgent action from EU transport ministers to address three systemic issues.
Under EU261 regulations, passengers may be entitled to compensation of 125 euros to 600 euros for delays over three hours, unless caused by extraordinary weather. However, many affected by this week’s storms may not qualify due to the weather exemption.
Palma de Mallorca Airport is Spain’s third busiest, handling over 31 million passengers in 2023. The airport’s rapid growth has made it more vulnerable to disruptions, as even short bursts of bad weather can cause widespread havoc.
Authorities urge travellers to stay flexible, keep backup plans, and know their rights when flying during the busy summer season. The situation at Palma de Mallorca serves as a warning of how quickly travel plans can unravel when weather and operational pressures collide.