Spanish airport operator Aena said that 54 flights to and from its terminals were affected by the Heathrow power outage this morning and 20 of them were already cancelled as of 10a.m., according to airport sources. British media reported that officers from London police´s counter-terrorism unit were investigating the blaze.
The state-controlled operator of all commercial airports in Spain said in a post on X platform that 29 connections were scheduled in Madrid, 19 in Barcelona and six in Malaga, Tenerife and Valencia.
Twenty flights to and from Madrid and Barcelona were cancelled this morning, Aena said in another post on X platform, while five flights bound to Heathrow were diverted to Madrid Barajas airport.
According to Palma airport flights from Britain were arriving as normal. The City Flyer flight from London City airport this morning arrived on time and overall flights from the UK were showing no delays. However, aviation sources did say that some flight disruption could be affected as a result of problems caused by the shut-down of Heathrow.
No compensation for passengers
The closure of Britain's Heathrow Airport due to a power outage is likely to be considered a force majeure event, meaning that passengers would not be entitled to a compensation, Spanish airlines association head Javier Gandara said on Friday.
In case of force majeure, airlines have to assist passengers, providing lodging and meals, but do not have to pay compensation, he added.