Storms Herminia and Ivo test airlines, according to AirHelp

Adverse weather events are common at this time of year and, although generally, they don't impact flight punctuality, they are becoming more extreme and end up affecting airport operations.

In just 10 days, Herminia has battered the Peninsula, leaving behind major storms, and now Ivo arrives to continue the storm. The northern peninsula will be especially affected by these major storms, and its airports have already experienced some disruptions in the status and schedules of scheduled flights.

Air passengers don't know their rights
According to a survey conducted by AirHelp, the technology company that improves the passenger experience during possible flight disruptions, 85% of passengers who board a plane don't know their rights when traveling and, moreover, don't feel informed by the airlines. Therefore, AirHelp reminds air passengers of their rights due to adverse weather conditions, which are also considered extraordinary circumstances according to CE261.

According to this regulation, airlines must ensure the well-being of passengers during delays or cancellations, offering free food and drinks, as well as basic communication (phone calls, emails, or faxes). In case of overnight delays, companies are required to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel, ensuring that travelers are taken care of at all times.

Additionally, passengers affected by cancellations have the right to be rebooked on the next available flight at no additional cost or to receive a full refund if they decide not to continue their journey.

Although disruptions due to bad weather are usually considered "extraordinary circumstances" and don't result in direct compensation to passengers, there are exceptions. For example, if the airline had enough time to prepare for the expected weather conditions, such as ice or snow, but didn't take the necessary measures, it could be held responsible.

Weather events that challenged airports in 2024
The year 2024 was marked by a series of extreme weather events in Spain that caused severe disruptions at airports and affected thousands of passengers. The storm Kirk could have been the main factor in generating 30% of flight disruptions as it passed through Spain, while the DANA in Barcelona, in November, left El Prat airport flooded, causing problems in 20% of flights. In Valencia, the catastrophic DANA on October 29 caused the biggest impact of the year, with 63.20% of flight delays.

Other notable events include the June floods at Mallorca airport, which affected 59.3% of operations, and the August storms, also in Palma de Mallorca, which possibly caused 38.6% of disruptions.

Additionally, Madrid experienced an intense hailstorm in September, which could have caused delays in 26% of flights departing from the capital, while the Canary Islands faced torrential storms in August, possibly affecting 35.4% of flights.

These events highlight the growing need for airlines and airports to be prepared to mitigate the impact of adverse weather phenomena, and for passengers to know how to act in these cases.