A widespread power outage hit Spain, Portugal, and parts of France on Monday, April 28. Vast areas of Spain and Portugal had no access to electricity, as chaos ensued at traffic lights, train stations and airports.
Spain and Portugal Power Outage: Overview and Key Facts
Spain and Portugal experienced gridlock as a power outage affected large portions of each country. Parts of France experienced a momentary outage, although power has now been restored according to French grid operator Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE). Parts of Italy and Andorra have also potentially been affected.
Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), Portugal’s electrical grid operator, has declared that the outage was caused by a rare atmospheric phenomenon due to extreme temperature variations in Spain.
Parts of Spain are beginning to access power again, although CEO of Red Electrica Eduardo Prieto has stated at a news conference that resolving the outage may take “between six and ten hours”.
However Portugal’s power operator REN warn that full restoration of power may take up to a week.
Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, has responded to suggestions that the outage was caused by a cyber attack, maintaining that there is no evidence of a cyber attack at this point.
This event takes place just a month after the closure of Heathrow Airport due to a power outage caused by a fire.
Impact on Aviation
The power outage has significantly impacted car, rail and air travel.
Photos and videos circulating on social media show crowds of people navigating through chaotic airports, streets and railway stations.
According to data from Cirium, there were over 6,000 departures and arrivals scheduled into Spanish airports on April 28, as well as over 1,400 departures and arrivals expected to take place in Portuguese airports, amassing to thousands of seats potentially impacted.
96 flights departing Portuguese airports have been cancelled so far, as well as 45 departing Spanish airports. Lisbon has seen nearly 30% of its scheduled departures cancelled.
Airline Tap Portugal has cancelled dozens of flights in and out of Portuguese capital Lisbon. EasyJet is offering flight vouchers or free transfers to alternative flights (departing within 72 hours of original departure time) for impacted travellers.
Passengers are advised to check with their relevant airlines for potential disruptions and further updates.
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