More than 1,000 holidaymakers stranded by flight cancellations have been rehoused in hotels and apartments across Fuerteventura following disruptions caused by the major power outage that affected most of Spain and Portugal.
Authorities confirmed the relocation effort was launched after multiple flights were grounded on Monday, 28th April.
The Fuerteventura Tourist Board said the emergency operation, carried out in coordination with the island’s airport authorities and the Government’s local sub-delegation, remains ongoing. At least three more flights were cancelled yesterday morning (Tuesday) as the island continued to deal with the fallout from the blackout.
Marlene Figueroa, Fuerteventura’s Councillor for Tourism, praised the swift response from hotels and local accommodation providers. Resorts across the island — including H10 Esmeralda, Iberostar Gaviotas, Royal Palm, Bristol Sunset, and Destinyhome — opened their doors to ensure those affected were provided with alternative lodging.
The blackout, described as a "zero energy event," caused widespread disruption not only to air travel but also to telecommunications across the Canary Islands. In response, the regional government declared a state of emergency. However, by Tuesday, the national grid operator Red Eléctrica confirmed that electricity supply had been fully restored and ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack.
So far, passengers from six cancelled flights have been assisted, with three groups already successfully relocated on Monday. The Cabildo, Fuerteventura’s island council, reiterated that efforts will continue for as long as necessary to support holidaymakers caught up in this extraordinary situation.
Travel seriously affected in mainland Spain and Portugal
The power outage led to the cancellation of over 500 flights across Spain and Portugal, impacting approximately 80,000 passengers. Major airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Seville experienced significant disruptions, with Lisbon seeing 45% of its departures grounded.
Airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and TUI reported delays and cancellations, advising passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Despite the restoration of power, transportation systems are still recovering. Train services, particularly in Madrid and Catalonia, remain limited, with some commuter lines operating at reduced capacity or suspended. Airports continue to manage backlogs, and passengers are urged to stay informed about their travel plans.
