A major power outage in Spain has resulted in two flights from Shannon being cancelled this evening.
The widespread power outage has paralysed public transport, caused major traffic disruption while flights to both Spain and Portugal have also been affected.
The governments of both countries have held emergency cabinet meetings following the outage which is also understood to have briefly affected areas of France, which border northeastern Spain.
Portugal’s utility company said the disruption in the Spanish electricity grid related to a ‘rare atmospheric phenomenon that caused extreme temperature variations’ in the country’s interior.
Several flight from Shannon Airport to mainland Spain and the Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands have been delayed this evening.
Ryanair flight FR-1322 from Shannon to Alicante had already commenced its taxi for departure when the crew was requested to stop and hold and taxiway. The flight which was due to take off at 5.40pm was initially delayed until 7.40pm but departed at 6.30pm.
Passengers travelling to Fuerteventura on Ryanair flight FR-1348 had boarded their flight and while originally told they would depart at 6.00pm, their flight was further delayed until 8.15pm and then cancelled. The return flight, FR-1349, has been cancelled as a result.
Flights continue to operate into and out of Fuerteventura Airport.
Flight FR-3941 from Shannon to Malaga which was due to take off at 5.40pm was initially delayed until 7.40pm and also cancelled.
Ryanair posted on the following on their website earlier: “Due to a general power outage affecting Spain and Portugal today (Mon 28 April), we are monitoring delays/cancellations for flights operating to/from Spain and Portugal. Affected passengers will be notified via email.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this power outage, which is outside of our control.”