The extensive power failure in Spain and Portugal led to the cancellation of several dozen flights and disturbances in the functioning of the railway network – the portal of the BBC television station said.
“Until now, 96 flights from local airports have been canceled in Portugal, with the airport in the capital of the country, Lisbon, a total of 45 flights were canceled in Spain, mainly in Barcelona and Madrid,” the portal said.
According to the Cirium analytical company Portugal. Nine flights from Great Britain were canceled.
IN Spain Most of the appeals concerned airports in Barcelona and Madrid. However, according to Cirium, no flight from Great Britain to Spain was canceled.
Difficulties at airports
David Gleave, an aviation expert, said the BBC that any breaks in power supply at airports do not affect air traffic control. He also informed that airports in Spain and Portugal probably have independent power sources, “such as large generators that start when they record a lack of electricity from the main network.”
Enaire, the Spanish air navigation organization, confirmed that thanks to the reserve generator, air traffic management operations are continued in five control centers. “Appropriate procedures have been implemented to ensure full safety of surgery,” it was informed …
Iberia, Spanish airlines, confirmed on platform X that despite the extensive power failure, their systems “work 100 percent”. “However, due to difficulties at several airports, we offer all passengers with flights planned for today the possibility of changing the date of travel” – it was informed.
Although some flights take place normally, problems with roads and public transport may hinder travelers to reach the airports.
Passengers imprisoned on trains
The BBC portal has announced that electricity interruptions have disturbed the functioning of public transport, including rail connections. “Lighting signaling failure meant that the mayor of Madrid appealed to residents to avoid using roads, because tunnels on some highways were closed” – he added.
As the head of the Spanish electricity network said, “the cause of the failure has not yet been established”, and the full restoration of power supply may take “from six to ten hours”.
The Spanish Minister of Transport óscar Puente said that the resumption of normal movement of medium and long-distance trains on Monday is unlikely. He added that it is planned to restore shorter suburban connections as soon as possible after regaining the power.
He said that work was also underway to release people imprisoned in immobilized trains.
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/TIAGO Petinga